Jun 15, 2014
Acts 7:17-36


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Outline:


Though the high priest and council are interested in hearing Stephen’s response to the accusations that have been levied against him, we mentioned last Sunday that Stephen’s response will not seek to justify his actions or defend himself against these falsehoods. Instead, Stephen uses the opportunity to speak truth into the lives of these religious leaders. by recounting their history in order to illustrate 5 key lessons. 


Last Sunday we saw how in presenting the framework of Abraham’s relationship with God, Stephen illustrates that faith in Jesus was consistent with the life God had called them to live. Then, in presenting the patriarch’s interactions with Joseph, Stephen illustrates that God used their rejection of Jesus to exalt Him to a position of Savior.


This morning we’re going to look at the third lesson: In presenting their rejection of Moses, Stephen illustrates that the Jews trusted God not Moses to deliver them.




To set the stage we should point out that in Acts 7:6-7 God had given Abraham an interesting prophecy. “God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years. ‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’” Stephen will now explain the fulfillment of this particular prophecy.




Acts 7:17-19, “But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt till another king arose who did not know Joseph. This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live.” 




As Stephen works his way through the history of Israel he explains that because of a great famine in the land of Canaan and through the provisions provided by Joseph, the family of Jacob ends up migrating to Egypt and settling in the land of Goshen (Genesis 46).


Understand, historically this all occurred at a perfect time in Egyptian history. 


Traditionally, the Egyptian people despised “shepherds” (Genesis 46:34). And since this was the main occupation of Jacob and his family, this situation would have never occurred if it weren’t for the fact that presently there had recently been a political shift within Egypt. 


During the time in which Joseph found himself in Egypt the “Hyksos Dynasty” had risen to power. Josephus claims “Hyksos” can be translated as the “Shepherd Kings” while more recent scholars believe it means “rulers of foreign lands.”


Either way, because the Hyksos were sympathetic towards foreigners, Jacob and his family were allowed to settle in the land when traditionally the Egyptians would have refused such a curtsy based upon their distrust of nomadic people and shepherds.


As even God foretold, while this dynamic would initially work to the favor of Israel, it would not last forever. Approximately 320 years after settling in Egypt the political spectrum would shift back away from the Hyksos to a more traditional ruling dynasty. Historically, we know that the “king who did not know Joseph” was Amenhotep I (2nd king of the 18th Dynasty).




One of the great criticism of this story centers around the simple reality that Egyptian records have no mention of Joseph, the Hebrew people spending 400 years in captivity, or Moses and the events surrounding the Exodus. This criticism is compounded by the reality the Egyptians went to such great lengths to keep meticulous records of their history.


And yet, it has recently been discovered that the Egyptians not only excluded any negative historical occurrences, but actively expunged from the record things they didn’t like.


The two main examples of this are incredibly relevant to the Hebrews.


1. Recent discoveries have revealed that once the Hyksos had been removed from power, the new ruling dynasty actively tried to expunge any mention of them from their history. Because the Hyksos dynasty coincided with the Biblical narrative, it would make sense then why there is no Egyptian record of the Hebrew people living in Egypt.


2. Recent discoveries have also revealed the great lengths by which the ancient Egyptians went to remove Hatshepsut (5th queen of the 18th dynasty) from the official record.


Because Amenhotep I lacked a male heir to the throne, he hand-selected his brother-in-law Thutmos I to succeed him. Following his death, his son Thutmos II would become Pharaoh, but, according to Egyptian history, he would die unexplainably at the age of 30 leaving the throne to his wife Hatshepsut until his son Thutmos III was old enough to serve as Pharaoh. And as soon as Thutmos III assumes the throne from his mother he immediately attempts to invade the land of Canaan.


If you place these events into the Biblical narrative it would seem that Thutmos II died suddenly because he drowned in the Red Sea after reneging on his promise to let the Children of Israel leave Egypt. Then because Hatshepsut (who had just suffered incredible loss) refused to do anything to avenge this humiliating defeat, she is washed from history while her son immediately seeks vengeance by invading Canaan.




According to the book of Exodus by the time Amenhotep I rose to power there was a fear among the Egyptians that the Hebrews posed a real and growing threat to power. Because they had multiplied in number (now numbering close to a million) Amenhotep decided to enact a new policy towards these foreigners (details in Exodus 1 &2). 


Stephen tells us this “king dealt treacherously with the people” by removing their autonomy and placing the Hebrews into slave-like conditions. And yet, this plan backfired. Exodus 1:12 says, “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.”


With political pressure mounting Amenhotep decided to actively limit their population growth. Exodus 1:22, “So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, "Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive."




It is with this backdrop that Stephen continues… Acts 7:20-22, “At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father’s house for three months. But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.”




To say that Moses was born during an inopportune time would have been an understatement. Because of the death policy in place, Moses’ life was in danger from the very first day. Stephen tells us that in addition to being “well pleasing to God… Moses was brought up in his father’s house for three months.” 


Imagine what these three months would have looked like for his father Amram, mother Jachebed, and sister Miriam as they attempt to hide a new born from the authorities. 


And while it’s not a surprise that this dynamic only lasted for three months, Hebrews 11:23 gives us further insight into the motivation behind this act of desperation. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.” 


This phrase “they saw he was a beautiful child” presents more than the idea that they recognized his physical charm or even loved him, but it seems to indicate there was a deeper spiritual understanding that God had great plans for their son. 


In light of the prophecy that had been given to Abraham, the Hebrew people understood that God would ultimately deliver them from Egypt and lead them back to the land promised to their forefathers. It would appear that Amram and Jachebed believe their son would play some type of instrumental role in this process. 


When it became clear that concealing Moses would be impossible, in an act of utter desperation, Moses was placed into a basket and hidden in the reeds of the Nile. Though Miriam would keep watch over Moses from a distance, in what can only be attributed to the providence of God, this little Hebrew boy ends up being discovered by “Pharaoh’s daughter.” Once again the conditions for what followed were perfect.


History indicates that while Amenhotep had a daughter he had failed to produce a son to be heir to the throne. This meant that as his adopted grandson, Moses would not only be spared certain death and escape the life of bondage the rest of his people were experiencing, but Moses would be groomed to be the next Pharaoh of Egypt.


Stephen tells us that because Moses was “brought up as her own son” he “was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians.” We can only imagine all the amenities Moses would be afforded as the adopted son of Pharaoh and heir to the throne. Note: “Moses” was his Egyptian name. We have no recorded of his birth name anywhere in Scripture.


It should come as no surprise that over time Moses would grow to become “mighty in words and deeds.” According to Jewish historian Josephus, Moses would become skilled in the art of war and ascend the ranks to become a general. In the course of time Moses would achieve fame by demonstrating bravery and courage by gaining a decisive victory over an invading Ethiopian army.




And while Moses was on the fast track to political power, Stephen tells us something interesting happens… Acts 7:23-29, “Now when he was 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 and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.”




Stephen transitions by giving us an interesting detail… “When Moses was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren.” In order to understand why this might have taken place, we should point out that, in addition to growing up in the household of Pharaoh, Exodus 2:7-9 tells us that his mother ends up being hired to care for him. 


One can image the faith that caused Amram and Jachebed to hide their son for those long three months had been bolstered by how the subsequent events unfolded. We can reason they shared with Moses his spiritual heritage during his developmental years. 


According to Hebrews 11:24-27 it would seem their spiritual influence had a profound impact. “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”


Understand, Moses’ visit to his brethren that day was not an accident. God had promised to deliver the Hebrew people out of Egypt. His parents believe he would play a role in this process. The supernatural providence of God seem to validate this calling. Not to mention, of all the Hebrew people fit to lead such an Exodus, Moses was clearly the most qualified.


Don’t overlook the magnitude of what such a decision would cost Moses. He was destined to be the most powerful man in the world. Egypt with all her treasure was at his fingertips. And yet, Moses “forsook Egypt… choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” 


While it would seem that Moses had gone with the intention of simply visiting his people, upon seeing “one of his brethren suffer wrong” Moses springs into action wholeheartedly believing that “God would deliver them by his hand.” 


Seeing this as a perfect opportunity to set his plans in motion, Moses “defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian” believing this act would validate his calling and rally the people. 


Not only would they reject Moses, but they’d left him in quite the precarious position. Since killing an Egyptian was a capital crime, Stephen tells us “Moses fled Egypt and became a dweller in the land of Midian.”


According to Exodus 2:11-3:1 Moses would end up marrying a Midianite priestess named Zipporah, produce 2 sons, and spend the next 40 years tending the flocks of his father-in-law Jethro. This was clearly not the future Moses had envisioned for himself.


As students of Scripture we understand that, while Moses had indeed been chosen to play an important role in the process of leading God’s people out of the land, in striking down the Egyptian Moses made a tragic mistake. He looked right, looked left, but failed to look up!


Though Moses recognized God’s call on his life, because he attempted to deliver the people in his own strength, not only would God allow him to fail miserably, but God would sent him into the wilderness to break him of this self-reliance. 


Imagine what this process must have been like for Moses.




Acts 7:30-34, “And when forty years had passed (Moses is now 80 years old), an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look. ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.”’




Discuss the significance of what God was doing in the life of Moses.




Because these religious leaders knew how these events would proceed forward, Stephen bypasses a detailed account and get’s right to the main point… Acts 7:35-37, “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years."




Understand, Stephen is not presenting Moses as a type of Christ, rather Stephen is illustrating the stupidity of placing so much faith in Moses as a deliverer!


Think about it this way… When Moses killed the Egyptian, where the Jews right or wrong by refusing to follow him? I’d say they were completely justified! Because Moses was acting in the flesh, under his own strength, without the involvement of God, not only would he have been proven powerless to deliver them, but one can image the fall out being devastating. 


While Moses thought “God would deliver them by his hand,” it would seem the people knew better. They rightly understood the job of delivering Israel out of bondage was reserved for God alone… God would deliver by His own hand! 


Look back at what God would later tell Moses at the burning bush (vs. 34) “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.”


You see the only reason the Jewish people rallied around Moses this second time was because it had become clear that he would be the instrument by which God was going to deliver them. Note: It’s also evident Moses had come to understand this as well. 


Exodus 4:27-5:1, “LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him. So Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him. Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people. So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped. Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let My people go…”


Look again at what Stephen said in vs 35-36, “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush.” Then we’re told… He brought them out, after he had shown (literally preformed) wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.”


He brought them out” can be misleading because it seems to imply Moses was responsible; and yet, the Greek word “he” or “houtos” is better translated as “this.” 


Stephen is reminding these religious leaders that the One who “brought them out, preformed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness” was not Moses, but rather “the Angel who appeared to him in the bush.” 




These religious leaders had placed all their faith in Moses to deliver them from sin, but the reality of history was that Moses was nothing more than a failed deliverer. And yet, Stephen is also wanting them to realize that where Moses failed, God proved able!

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