How did God stop Saul of Tarsus in his tracks?
God stopped Saul of Tarsus in his tracks by a penetrating light from heaven. This was an act of grace, not waiting for Saul to reconsider. Saul was prostrate on the ground, looked up, knew the shining light came from heaven, and recognized his God was dealing with him, asking, 'Who art thou, Lord?'
Les explains that God in His grace did not wait for Saul to have second thoughts or to question whether he was overzealous. Saul was still intent on getting believing Jews from Damascus—men, women, or children—to take them back to Jerusalem for prison or death. But God stopped him in his tracks with a penetrating light from heaven. Les thinks it knocked him from his horse. From his prostrate position on the ground, Saul looked up, knowing the shining light was coming from heaven. Les notes that religious people normally think of God's abode as heaven above, so Saul recognized the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was dealing with him. He then asked, 'Who art thou, Lord?'