Acts 7:9-16

 Acts 7:9-16

And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11 Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh. 14 And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. 15 And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, 16 and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

As Stephen continues his review of the history of Israel, he turns to the migration of Israel to Egypt.  This is an important part of the history of the nation as it emphasizes the faithfulness of God in the midst of difficulty and even deceit on the part of the patriarchs.  Stephen wants to show the people that the nation was founded in the midst of questionable circumstances brought on by the unfaithfulness of their forefathers. 

GOD’S PROVISION FOR ISRAEL: Stephen begins to speak of the patriarchs in terms of their jealousy of Joseph.  The Bible paints its characters in light of reality and does not gloss over or ignore the sins of its heroes.  Every person listening to Stephen was a descendent of one of the patriarchs.  These men intended evil for their brother because of jealousy but God used it for good and the ultimate rescue of and provision for the nation.  I believe what Stephen wants his audience to see is that even when men are unfaithful or evil, God continues to be good and faithful, we can trust Him fully.  Just as the patriarchs had been treacherous to Joseph, this generation had been treacherous with Jesus.  However, God used that treachery to pay the price of sin so man could be saved.  What man intends for destruction, God uses for salvation.

GOD’S PROMISE TO ISRAEL: Even though the family went to Egypt and lived there for 400 years while they became a nation, God was still faithful to His promise to Abraham.  The land that had been promised to his descendants would still be their land.  This is demonstrated by the fact that when Jacob died, he was carried back into that land and buried in the place that Abraham had purchased.  This time in Egypt had been prophesied before.  The sin of the patriarchs selling Joseph is what opened the door for this move to Egypt.  Even so, God remained faithful to His promise and would preserve the land for His chosen people.  It is a blessing to know that God’s promises do not depend on our faithfulness, but His faithfulness.

APPLICATION: Trust the Lord in times of trouble and know that He is in control of our circumstances.  Strive to be faithful but know that the Lord is faithful even when we are not.  Rest in the truth that the Lord always keeps His promises.

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