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 was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons. And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, ...”, and in chapter seven and verse thirty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared that Stephen told how God said, “I am the God of your fathers” where we read:
Saying, I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and did not dare to behold it.
The verse begins, “Saying, I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Luke began with the word, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “I am the God of your fathers” or “I, God, am the Heavenly Father God belonging to your, Moses', forefathers, male ancestors and progenitors”, “the God of Abraham” which means “the Heavenly Father God belonging to Abraham whose name means father of a multitude and was the son of Terah and the founder of the Jewish nation”, “and the God of Isaac” or “and the Heavenly Father God belonging to Issac whose name means to laugh and was the son of Abraham and Sarah” “and the God of Jacob” which means “and the Heavenly Father God belonging to Jacob whose name means heel-catcher or supplanter and was the second son of Isaac”. Luke shared how “Stephen” recalled how God spoke to “Moses” by referring to Himself being the Heavenly Father God of “Abraham, Issac and Jacob”.
The verse continues, “... Then Moses trembled, and did not dare to behold it.” Luke added the words, “then Moses trembled” which means “at that time Moses whose name means drawing out and was the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion became terrified and quaking”, “and did not dare to behold it” or “and dreaded, shunned and did not venture to observe, look at or see the burning bush”. Luke shared how “Stephen” said “Moses” began to “quake” at the site of the “burning bush” and God's “voice” arising from it.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Stephen” referred to what “God” said to “Moses” from the “burning bush”. God spoke of Himself as the “God” of “Moses'” forefathers, and He mentioned “Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” in His words. As soon as God spoke those words, “Moses” became “terrified” at the site of the “burning bush”, and he would not look at it any longer. God is a powerful, awesome and Almighty God, and we can only imagine the terror that came upon “Moses” when God spoke. God, as powerful as He is, desires to have a personal relationship with every person who will yield their life to His Son Jesus. Sin separates people from God, and when they submit themselves to Jesus, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and establish a relationship with Him that will last for all eternity. Let all who read these words be in awe of Almighty God and surrender themselves to His Son Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how God says, “put off your shoes from your feet”, 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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