God’s Work, Israel’s Reaction

Introduction

We might, at times, have the wrong expectations of God.

We think He should act in ways that conform to our standards.

We think He should work in obvious ways.

Stephen’s message to His fellow Jews walks them from the time of Abraham to Moses.

He has emphasized God’s faithfulness.

He has hinted at the forefather’s opposition to God’s will.

God made Abraham a promise:

Acts 7:6

We should break down the particulars of this promise.

God’s promise was fulfilled despite the sinfulness of the fathers.

Stephen follows the basic narrative.

God gave Joseph grace and brought him out of tribulation giving him favor and wisdom in Pharaoh’s sight.

Gen. 39:2-6

Gen. 41:37-40

God’s Promise Starting toward Fulfillment.

How would God fulfill His word to Abraham?

He provided his family a protector, although Joseph’s brothers intended it for his harm.

Gen. 50:15-21.

The famine drove the family in the direction of Egypt in search of food.

Joseph revealed himself to his brothers.

Pharaoh knew Joseph’s family.

Joseph summoned his father who subsequently traveled to Egypt.

Stephen does not wish to dwell on all the specifics of what happened in Egypt.

He only cares about showing their deaths and establishing that God fulfilled his promise.

God’s Promise Nearing Fulfillment

Jacob, the fathers, and Joseph all died in the land of Egypt.

Jacob and the patriarchs were transferred to the land, the places Abraham bought for burying the dead in his family.

Acts 7:17: The time neared for the fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham.

Exodus 1:6-22.

Stephen borrows the wording throughout.

Note especially the importance of the Pharaoh, “dealing deceitfully” with the Israelites.

He wanted to outwit them.

Introduction (Part 2)

We must be careful about taking an idealized view or sanitized view of the events of the scriptures.

What seems obvious to us is not obvious to anyone.

Lest we think the basics are difficult to miss, consider our generation’s struggle with something as obvious as men and women.

The Bible shows us fallen people acting in a fallen world, not perfect people doing everything perfectly.

Whether or not that is an enjoyable message, it is a true one.

All the world must come to grips with reality.

We should begin with the situation in Exodus 1 for a moment.

Stephen relies on the asymmetry between God’s actions and Israel’s actions throughout.

The events of Exodus 1, however, bring into stark relief or contrast what he will present as Israel’s shocking response to God.

Stephen has relied on his audience being familiar with the terminology and episodes in Exodus 1.

God did not give signs in the heavens as the time neared.

Instead, he fulfilled him promise to Abraham.

Israel lived in a land where they were so undervalued that they were mistreated.

Note the concerns of the Pharaoh above.

Conditions in Egypt after Joseph

Israel lived under deceit, manipulation, and harm.

They were harmed.

They were to rid themselves of their own children.

One way that Pharaoh tried to outsmart the Israelites was by convincing them they should participate in their own decline.

We have to be a discerning people.

It was under such conditions, that Moses was born.

His life was preserved by God.

He was “beautiful” to God. This may be a reference to his ability to learn, and hence ability to speak.

God used Pharaoh’s daughter to rescue Moses.

She raised him..

Moses was capable both in words, power, and his heart.

Israel’s Rejection of Moses

Everything changed, however, when he decided to visit his fellow Israelites.

He knows they are brothers.

Exodus 2:11ff.

In Acts 7:24-25, Stephen explains that Moses thought his brothers would understand that God sent him to give them deliverance.

They did not understand.

They rejected Moses as their judge/leader. (Notice the question in Acts 7:27, from Exodus 2:14).

Israel rejected the individual God sent to lead them from Egypt.

We know, in the long term, their attitude toward Moses and leaving Egypt.