Acts 7:1-53

Stephen

What is the point, Stephen? I read this passage dozens of times and generally came to this question over and over. It seemed as if Stephen was stalling for time. Maybe he was simply looking for something to say? Then, several years ago, it hit me. There is nothing random about this. Stephen was going somewhere from the very start. In fact, it is so obvious that I’m sure few of you need me to point it out, but here goes.

From the beginning God knew what was going on. He sent Abraham to Canaan. He didn’t give any of the land to Abraham, but He promised that Abraham and his descendants would possess it. (A promise that can only be kept if there is life after death.) God also told Abraham about his people being captive in a foreign country. He even told how long they would be enslaved! God knew. And they knew He knew.

When the time came for them to be rescued from bondage God provided Moses. God divinely protected Moses from being taken by the Nile. When Moses tried to deliver them they refused his help. After forty years God sent Moses back again. This time Moses didn’t really deal with Israel but with Pharaoh. (Actually, it was God who dealt with Pharaoh.) With great signs and wonders and power God brought them out of Egypt. He even parted the Red Sea for them. Then God called Moses away for a few days to give him the law. During that time the Israelites made the Golden Calf to worship.

Because they refused to enter the Promised Land they spent forty years in the wilderness. Even though Moses did many marvelous signs to provide for them they were stiff necked and often rebelled and cried out to return to Egypt. They had the Tabernacle and God’s very presence with them. They were given great leaders and ultimately had the Temple in Jerusalem. They responded by worshiping the host of heaven but not the God who created the host, who rightly declared the end from the beginning, and who graciously provided for them. The result was that they had to be taken off to Babylonian captivity.

They killed all the true prophets sent to them. And these people are their descendants. They act just like their fathers and killed the One Moses told them was coming - the Holy One of God.

That is what Stephen was saying. And had we been alive and present we would likely have been among those he was saying it to. Therefore, we should walk in humility.