A People Who Forgot
[ READ ] Acts 7:1-29
Stephen's Speech
1 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And Stephen said:
“Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ 4 Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. 5 Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. 6 And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. 7 ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ 8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
9 “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.
17 “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. 19 He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive. 20 At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house, 21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.
23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
1 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And Stephen said:
“Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ 4 Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. 5 Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. 6 And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. 7 ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ 8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
9 “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.
17 “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. 19 He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive. 20 At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house, 21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.
23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
In Acts 6, Stephen has just been forcefully brought before the council by those opposing him. He is intentionally set up by his opponents through the use of false witnesses and accusations of blasphemy. Chapter 7 begins with his answer to the high priest’s question of three short words: “Is this so?” Stephen responds to this loaded question in Acts 7:1–29 with a purposeful recounting of key moments from Israel’s history.
Much more than a simple retelling of undoubtedly well-known historical events, a repeated pattern seen throughout the Old Testament is brought up: God continually raised up leaders and deliverers for His people; yet the very leaders God chose were often misunderstood, resisted, or rejected by them. Stephen recounts how Abraham responded in faith to God’s call and covenant promises; that Joseph was spurned by his brothers before later becoming their rescuer; and even Moses was initially rebuffed by the very people he sought to defend and deliver.
Noted commentators, among them John Calvin and R.C. Sproul, have recognized Stephen’s speech as a theological and spiritual indictment. In recounting Israel’s history, the unfortunate tendency of God’s people to resist His appointed servants is exposed. Simultaneously, Stephen highlights God’s unwavering covenant faithfulness to His people, throughout the generations.
Perhaps most importantly, Stephen points beyond Abraham, Joseph, and Moses toward the greater fulfillment found in Christ. These figures from ancient times ultimately foreshadow the coming Messiah — the true Deliverer, whom many would reject before finally recognizing Him as Savior and Lord. Amidst human rebellion and forgetfulness, God continued then, as he continues now, to implement His redemptive plan for His people.
- Jenna Connor
Much more than a simple retelling of undoubtedly well-known historical events, a repeated pattern seen throughout the Old Testament is brought up: God continually raised up leaders and deliverers for His people; yet the very leaders God chose were often misunderstood, resisted, or rejected by them. Stephen recounts how Abraham responded in faith to God’s call and covenant promises; that Joseph was spurned by his brothers before later becoming their rescuer; and even Moses was initially rebuffed by the very people he sought to defend and deliver.
Noted commentators, among them John Calvin and R.C. Sproul, have recognized Stephen’s speech as a theological and spiritual indictment. In recounting Israel’s history, the unfortunate tendency of God’s people to resist His appointed servants is exposed. Simultaneously, Stephen highlights God’s unwavering covenant faithfulness to His people, throughout the generations.
Perhaps most importantly, Stephen points beyond Abraham, Joseph, and Moses toward the greater fulfillment found in Christ. These figures from ancient times ultimately foreshadow the coming Messiah — the true Deliverer, whom many would reject before finally recognizing Him as Savior and Lord. Amidst human rebellion and forgetfulness, God continued then, as he continues now, to implement His redemptive plan for His people.
- Jenna Connor
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ How does Stephen’s retelling of Israel’s history ultimately point toward Jesus as the great Deliverer?
+ What does this passage reveal about God’s covenant faithfulness despite human rebellion and forgetfulness?
+ What does Acts 7:1–29 teach us about humanity’s tendency to resist God’s appointed servants?
+ How does Stephen’s retelling of Israel’s history ultimately point toward Jesus as the great Deliverer?
+ What does this passage reveal about God’s covenant faithfulness despite human rebellion and forgetfulness?
+ What does Acts 7:1–29 teach us about humanity’s tendency to resist God’s appointed servants?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How does Stephen’s boldness and faithfulness challenge the way I live for Christ today?
+ Do I recognize patterns of God’s faithfulness in my life, even during seasons of doubt, rebellion, or forgetfulness?
+ Have I become so familiar with certain passages or truths in Scripture that I no longer stop to truly examine their meaning?
+ Am I willing to receive truth from God even when it confronts my assumptions, pride, or expectations?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How does Stephen’s boldness and faithfulness challenge the way I live for Christ today?
+ Do I recognize patterns of God’s faithfulness in my life, even during seasons of doubt, rebellion, or forgetfulness?
+ Have I become so familiar with certain passages or truths in Scripture that I no longer stop to truly examine their meaning?
+ Am I willing to receive truth from God even when it confronts my assumptions, pride, or expectations?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, forgive me for how I often resist your truth, ignore your direction, or forget your faithfulness. Just as your people repeatedly misunderstood and rejected the servants you put in place to help and deliver them, I too can become hardened, prideful, and spiritually forgetful. Soften my heart. Please teach me to respond in faith and obedience as Abraham did.
Help me and my brothers and sisters in you to recognize your mighty hand at work throughout our lives, even during seasons of difficulty, confusion, or waiting.
Thank You for your covenant faithfulness that continues from generation to generation despite human weakness and rebellion.
Most importantly, help us to see Christ clearly as the true and greater Deliverer foreshadowed throughout Your Word. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, forgive me for how I often resist your truth, ignore your direction, or forget your faithfulness. Just as your people repeatedly misunderstood and rejected the servants you put in place to help and deliver them, I too can become hardened, prideful, and spiritually forgetful. Soften my heart. Please teach me to respond in faith and obedience as Abraham did.
Help me and my brothers and sisters in you to recognize your mighty hand at work throughout our lives, even during seasons of difficulty, confusion, or waiting.
Thank You for your covenant faithfulness that continues from generation to generation despite human weakness and rebellion.
Most importantly, help us to see Christ clearly as the true and greater Deliverer foreshadowed throughout Your Word. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
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