Luke the physician wrote, “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 how God, “Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first, and at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, ...”, and in chapter seven and verse sixteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen referred to how the fathers, “were carried over into Sychem” where we read:
And were carried over into Sychem,
and laid in the sepulcher that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
The verse begins, “And were carried over into Sychem, ...” Luke began with the words, “and were carried” which means “and were brought, lead and directed” “over to Sychem” or “to the area above Sychem or Shechem which means shoulder or diligence” and was a city in Ephraim”. Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to how the dead bodies of Jacob and the patriarchs of Israel were brought to “Shechem” which was in Ephraim.
The verse continues, “... and laid in the sepulcher that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem....” Luke added the words, “and laid in the sepulcher” which means “and placed or put in the tomb, grave or monument” “that Abraham” or “that Abraham which means father of a multitude and was the son of Terah and the founder of the Jewish nation” “bought for a sum of money” which means “purchased for the value and price of silver coins or shekels” “of the sons of Emmor” or “from the male offsprings of Emmor of Hamor which means a donkey and was” “the father of Sychem” which means “the immediate male progenitor and ancestor of Sychem or Shechem” (See Genesis 33). Luke shared how “Stephen” said the bodies of “Jacob” and the “patriarchs of Israel” were put in the “tomb” that their forefather “Abraham” purchased the “tomb”, which was in Ephraim and called “Shechem”, from the sons of “Emmor” or “Hamor”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn through “Stephen” how the bodies of “Jacob” and his sons were carried out of “Egypt” to be buried in “Shechem” which was located in Ephraim. God's plan was progressing, and though there was physical salvation for the children of Israel in “Egypt”, their forefathers were not to be buried there. God intended to bring forth His Son Jesus through the nation of Israel, and we shall see how this story continues to lead to His birth. God loves people, and long ago He set forth a plan of redemption for people through His Son Jesus. Anyone who believes and trusts in Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who trace the steps of Israel understand their direction and purpose was directed by God the Father to send His Son Jesus, and those who are wise will yield to Him.
Next time Luke shares how, “the people grew and multiplied in Egypt”, 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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