Acts 7:44-53
Acts 7:44-53
“Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.[k] 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’[l]
51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
As Stephen continues his review of the history of the nation of Israel, he comes to the part where Israel builds a Tabernacle and Temple for the purpose of worship. He continues to set the stage for his accusation of the spiritual leadership of his day. They had put him on trial for contradicting the teaching of the nation, but he is clearly turning the tables and putting them on trial for refusing to follow the teachings of God. There will be multiple times in life when we have to choose between following the way of the Lord or the way of men. When that happens, the way of the Lord must prevail.
THE TEMPLES MADE BY MEN: Stephen recounts the Tabernacle that was constructed according to the instructions of God by Moses and the children of Israel. This Tabernacle was carried into the Promised land by Joshua and the nation. It remained the central location for sacrifice and worship for the nation until David desired to build the Temple that Solomon ended up building. The Temple was a permanent structure while the Tabernacle was mobile. They both served the same function; however, it seems that the Temple was more an attempt by man to please God with human effort. Certainly, both were blessed by God with His presence. It is important to understand that neither were adequate as dwelling places for God. They were places for men to gather, bring sacrifices, and worship God. We no longer offer sacrifices because of the work of Jesus on the cross. We do, however, gather for worship in churches where we fellowship, praise the Lord, study Scripture, and worship together. These have always been important functions for us as we worship the Lord.
THE TRANSENDENCE OF GOD: God’s response to man’s attempts to build Him a “house” is both sobering and humorous. Humorous because God basically says that He uses the massive heavens as a chair and that the planet of earth is a footstool. The implication is: just what kind of a house do you think you are capable of building for Me? If the entire planet is only big enough to support His foot; how could mand possibly build a house for God? This response is sobering because it simply reveals the transcendence of God. He is so far above us that we have a hard time even beginning to be able to comprehend His glory. Stephen’s accusers were, in reality, setting themselves in the place of God by judging him. Stephen is demonstrating to the leaders that he is not contradicting the teachers of the past but is following Jesus whom all the Patriarchs foretold. It is important to strive to know God and recognize Him as God but never seek to put ourselves in the place of God.
THE TREACHERY OF ISRAEL: Stephen is the one who is supposed to be on trial here, but clearly, he has turned the tables and become the prosecuting attorney. He makes five different accusations against the leaders of Israel. 1. You are stiff necked. 2. You have uncircumcised hearts and ears. 3. You resist the Holy Spirit just as your ancestors did. 4. You have betrayed and murdered Jesus just like your ancestors killed those who predicted His coming. 5. You disobey the Law that you have received. This does not sound like a man who is afraid of losing his life. This is a man committed to the truth who loves his accusers enough to warn them of their wicked way even if it does cost him his life. In essence all of these accusations can be boiled down into two. They resist the revelation of God and reject the Son of God. How often do we stubbornly refuse to obey God’s Word and turn away from Jesus? This evil heart is in all of us and only by God’s grace are we able to find forgiveness through faith in Jesus. May we boldly proclaim His truth.
APPLICATION: Recognize the greatness of God and the weakness of our worship. Our churches and places of worship may be blessed with the presence of God, but they are never adequate to contain Him. Stand in awe of God and worship Him for His greatness. The entire Earth is only big enough to be His foot stool, obviously a metaphor, but something to spark our imagination of His glory. Obey the Word of God. Trust the Son of God. Proclaim the truth of God.
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