<p>20:3 <em>There he spent three months- </em>Paul had three periods of three months in his missionary work (19:8; 20:3; 28:11). Our lives work according to a Divine program, even if at the time it's hard to always discern this. We think of the three periods of 40 years in the life of Moses.</p><p><em>But as he was about to set sail for Syria</em>- Such last minute changes of plan indicate that Paul had great autonomy in his travel choices. The red lines on maps showing his journeys rather disguise the freedom of choice which he had, and exercised.</p><p><i>He was informed that the Jews planned to ambush him, so he decided to return through Macedonia</i>- Perhaps also related to the fact he was carrying the collection for the poor believers at Jerusalem.</p>