After the battle, Joab sent two runners racing back to King David to inform him of the outcome. One of the two runners is referred to simply as “the Cushite.” Cush encompassed what is present day Ethiopia, a region that produces world-class runners year after year. If the Olympics do indeed occur this summer, Ethiopians will win medals in several of the distance races.

Roughly 1,000 years later, on the dusty road between Jerusalem and Gaza, another Cushite, in this case identified as an Ethiopian, sat reading the scriptures. The Holy Spirit sent Phillip the evangelist to explain the meaning of the words he read. After hearing the good news about Jesus, the Ethiopian eunuch committed his life to Christ and went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8).

The Ethiopian church traces its long history back to this eunuch. He carried the message he heard from Phillip home to his people, and spread the gospel among all who would listen.

Two Cushites, two messangers of good news. One ran to a king with news of victory. The second ran to inform his nation that hope exists in the person of Jesus Christ.

I am privileged to know Ethiopians—modern day Cushites—who serve as missionaries and pastors throughout Africa and the world.

Still running—and still delivering good news.

2 Samuel 18 & Acts 8 in week twenty-one of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Jeremy Lapak