Acts 7:1-38
Q.1. How did Stephen interact with the Council? What did his quotations reveal about God? What is the nature of God’s relationship with Abraham and his descendants? – (Acts 7:1-8)
The High Priest asked if the accusation that Jesus would alter the customs of Moses, was true (Acts 7:1 c.f. 6:13-14). In response, Stephen gave the Council a history lesson supported by copious quotes from their Scriptures. This would make it hard to dismiss him summarily. He presented God as sovereign over the father of their faith, Abraham, as well as the patriarchs and his descendants. He reminded them of how the Lord so gripped the life of Abraham that he fully trusted God, even though this was based on future promises (Acts 7:2-5). God gave Abraham and his descendants the Covenant of Circumcision and predicted a difficult journey that would bring them into slavery in Egypt (Acts 7:6-8). Stephen’s audience would find no disagreement thus far.
Q.2. What did Joseph’s life teach us about God’s plan for His children? Why did Jacob and his children have to go to Egypt? – (Acts 7:9-16 c.f. 7:6-7)
Even after Abraham was long gone, God never forgot His promises about the land and their captivity, that would forge them into a nation – And whatever nation to which they will be in bondage I Myself will judge,’ said God,and after that they will come out and serve Me in this place.’ … Then Joseph sent word and invited his father Jacob, and all his relatives to come to him. There were seventy-five persons in all. (Acts 7:7 &14). This God accomplished, by making him governor over Egypt, and proving that God plans and directs the lives of His servants (Acts 7:9-15).
Q.3. What made the release of Israel from Egypt improbable? How did God prepare Moses for his role as deliverer? Why did Moses have to flee? – (Acts 7:17-29)
Stephen wanted the leaders to understand the improbability of the freeing of the Hebrews, and to make it clear that God was always in total control – 17 “But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18 until there arose another king over Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph (Acts 7:17-18 c.f. Gen.15:13-16). God was preparing His instrument – Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds (Acts 7:22). However, in an aborted attempt to lead his people, Moses became a murderer, and needed to flee for his life (Acts 7:23-29).
Q.4. How did God regain his attention? How did God describe Himself? What task did God give Moses? How did Stephen apply the rejection of Moses by the people? – (Acts 7:30-38)
Stephen then reminded the Council that Moses was called to bring salvation to his people, when God spoke to him – 32 I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look … 34 I have certainly seen the oppression of My people in Egypt and have heard their groans, and I have come down to rescue them; come now, and I will send you to Egypt.’ (Acts 7:32 & 34). The point Stephen made from this well-known story, was that Moses was neither believed nor esteemed as their leader – “This Moses whom they disowned, saying,Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush (Acts 7:35). This Moses whom they now respected had furthermore foreshadowed the coming of another prophet (Acts 7:37 c.f. Dt.18:15 & 18). History was simply repeating itself in their treatment of Jesus.