A History Of Rejecting God’s Plan

Acts 7:1-35

After hearing the highly inflammatory claims against Stephen, the high priest himself had doubts as to their truth. Such a rebellious attitude would almost certainly have been noticed before.

“Then said the high priest, Are these things so?” (Acts 7:1)

Rather than defending himself, Stephen reviews Israel’s history, reminding them of the times they had rejected God’s chosen messengers, and ignored the messages. Their salvation was more important than Stephen’s life. He started with the progenitor of their race, and how Abraham came to the land.

“And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee. Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.” (Acts 7:2-4)

Some two thousand years before, God had directed Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a place God would show him. Eventually, he wound up in the land of Israel.

“And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.” (Acts 7:5)

Abraham and his descendants lived in that land for two hundred and fifteen years without owning any of it, just being allowed to stay by the people who owned it, yet God promised Abraham that his descendants would own it, but not for another four hundred years. The sign of circumcision was instituted as a symbol showing they were born into Abraham‘s family and thus were heirs of the promise.

“And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.” (Acts 7:6-8)

Twenty two years before Israel went to Egypt, Joseph’s brothers started to kill him but were diverted from their intent, selling him as a slave instead.

“And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.” (Acts 7:9- 13)

For twenty two years, they had considered Joseph dead, yet their lives were saved and the nation preserved because of his efforts and obedience to God. It was because of him they came to Egypt and survived.

“Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.” (Acts 7:14-16)

About thirty years after they came to Egypt, a new king took over who didn’t recognize Joseph's contribution to Egypt and enslaved the Israelites. They remained in slavery for four hundred years.

“But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph. The same dealt subtly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live. In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months: And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.” (Acts 7:17-21)

About three hundred and fifty years after Israel went into Egypt, Moses was born and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. He was raised as an Egyptian prince, but never lost sight of his Jewish heritage, seeking to protect them from Egyptian abuse, believing that it was why he was in that position.

“And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.” (Acts 7:22-25)

The Israelites rejected his efforts to help them and he was forced to flee for his life.

“And the next day he showed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? Ac 7:27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.” (Acts 7:26-29)

Almost six hundred fifty years after Abraham entered the land of Canaan, Moses saw the burning bush and was instructed to return to Egypt and lead Israel to freedom.

“And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground. I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.” (Acts 7:30-34)

They had accused Stephen of blaspheming Moses. He showed that while they considered him one of the greatest leaders, at one time, as a nation, they had rejected him.

“This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. ” (Acts 7:35)

Human pride resents anybody who points out wrong doing, even when their intention is to help us. The guilty party resented Moses’ interference and human nature hasn’t changed. Despite their belief that they were better than others, the Jews were no different.