27:22-26
Paul tells them that even though everything has gone wrong, there would be no loss of life, so they should not lose heart. The ship, however, would be lost. He now also tells them that he knows this because God sent an angel to tell him so. The earlier incident would give Paul credibility. We also note that sometimes God does send angels. Paul had to appear before Caesar, so his life would be spared, along with the lives of all on board. Even though God has told them this, they still had to do something. In this case that meant running the ship aground. When God says something is going to happen it does not mean that we should do nothing.
27:27-32
The ship would be tacking in order to reach their next destination, Malta. After fourteen days the sailors sensed they were approaching land. We get more details of the sailors actions, again adding authenticity to the account. Some of the sailors sought to escape from the ship, knowing the danger they were all facing. So we see some of the bad side of humanity, putting ourselves above others, and this can come to the fore in situations of extreme danger. Paul told the Centurion and soldiers to stop them, for they needed the skill of the sailors in order to give them any chance. So see that even though Paul has received a word from God about their being saved, practical action is still needed. The sovereign will of God and human action and responsibility go hand in hand, they are in no way opposed to each other.
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