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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more