" Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.

1. He went to visit his brethren. Here we have an interesting word.

1. To visit does not mean, as we use the word today, to go to a home and pass the time with conversation. It means to see for yourself, to check on the welfare of, to look out for the needs and condition of others.

2. The Greek word is from the same root as the word for "bishop" or "overseer". The elder or bishop is to look over the welfare of the congregation.

3. This word also is used to describe "pure religion" in James 1:27. We are to "visit" the widows and orphans. This does not mean to pay a call on them. Just chat for a while and leave. Rather, it means to look to their needs. Check on their welfare and seek to meet their necessities.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament