Ahhh, the Ethiopian eunuch, or being the odd man out

Acts 8.26-40 is the story of the "Ethiopian Eunuch" -

Let's address the Ethiopian portion of this: when Jeremiah and portions of the nation of Israel fled to Egypt in about 600 BC, an Israelite community developed on the coast of Africa and many remained.  There continues to be a Jewish presence in both Egypt and Ethiopia.  (how much I'm not sure; google it if you're interested).  Although lots of nations are mentioned at the Pentecost gathering (Acts2.9-11) no Ethiopians are named; so as an Ethiopian he represents those who are geographically and ethnically far away. 
This 'man' had been to Jerusalem to worship and was on his way home.  He was reading the prophet Isaiah and was unsure whether the prophet was speaking of himself "like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, like a lamb silent before its shearer" or if Isaiah spoke of someone else.  Philip had the honor of introducing this man to Jesus, and once again witnessed to him about the gift of Jesus the Son of God.  The Ethiopian wanted to be baptized immediately, and so it was accomplished.

Why the big deal about this man being a eunuch?  Couldn't the whole story be told without mentioning this detail?  And what is a eunuch anyway?  (Frankly, if you want the details, google it.)

 A eunuch was a man who in his youth was rendered impotent in order to eliminate any possibility that he would 'stray' into forbidden territory.  You can see why the male who was in charge of the harem would be a eunuch and often court officials with access to money were as well.  Being a eunuch pretty much eliminated other career possibilities for the man.  It set him aside socially as well.  The eunuch was always 'the odd man out.'   Religiously, eunuchs were excluded from participation in Temple rituals and from full admittance, as proselytes, into Israel's community.

So the one that was rejected by the social order (although made that way in order to serve society's purposes) is the one who receives a special, personal word of enlightenment, a witness to Jesus and the acceptance of baptism.  The one who was seeking a higher meaning for his life was given the ultimate gift of being included. 

Lots to think about here ......