The physician Luke wrote how, “Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people”, and after being interrogated by the people in the synagogue, “all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Then said the high priest, Are these things so?”, and Stephen defended his faith by referring to, “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph”. He spoke about “Moses” being raised in Egypt and defending his fellow countryman. After “Moses' act” of killing an Egyptian was known, “Then fled Moses at this saying” and after forty years, God revealed Himself to Moses in a burning bush. God sent Moses back to Egypt as a deliverer, and he “brought them out, after that he had showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.” Moses lead the people of Israel, but while he was away to receive the “law” from God, his brother “Aaron” at the request of the people, “made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O you house of Israel, have you offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? Yes, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which you made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David. Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob”, and in chapter seven and verse forty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen said David, “ Solomon built him an house” where we read:
But Solomon built him an house.
The verse begins, “But Solomon ...” Luke began with the words, “but Solomon” which means “however, moreover, nonetheless and notwithstanding Solomon whose name means peaceful and was the son of David and was the wisest and richest king that ever lived”. Luke shared how “Stephen” mentioned “King David's Son”, “Solomon” who did the following.
The verse goes on to say, “... built him an house.” Luke continued with the words, “built him” which means “constructed, erected and established for God” “an house” or “a dwelling place, habitation, temple and tabernacle”. (See 2 Samuel 7:13; 1 Kings 5) Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to “Solomon” building the “temple” that his father “David” desired for God.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Stephen” spoke to the “Sanhedrin” about “Solomon” fulfilling the desire of his father “King David” to build a “temple” for God. Person by person and step by step “Stephen” was progressing in his speech to show the “religious leaders” how Jesus was indeed the prophesied “Messiah and Christ” of God. God loves people, and He used people and events to bring the redemption of sins to mankind. Anyone who yields to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. Let all who read these words surrender their lives to Jesus and permit Him to dwell within the temple of their own hearts.
Next time Luke shares how Stephen says, “the most High dwells not in temples made with hands”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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