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”, and in chapter seven and verse forty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen said David, “found favor before God” where we read:
Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
The verse begins, “Who found favor before God,...” Luke began with the words, “who found favor” which means “David was the one who discovered, came upon and recognized grace or that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm and loveliness” “before God” or “in the presence of the Heavenly Father God”. Luke shared how “Stephen” reminded the “Sanhedrin” of God's “grace and loveliness” that was extended to King David of Israel.
The verse continues, “... and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.” Luke added the words, “and desired” which means “and craved, asked and wanted” “to find a tabernacle” or “to come upon, discover and recognize a temple or dwelling place” “for the God of Jacob” which means “on behalf of the Heavenly Father God belonging to Jacob whose name means heel-catcher or supplanter and refers to the progenitor of the Israelites”. Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to how “Kind David” “desired” to make a “temple” in which the God of Israel would live and be worshiped.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Stephen” said “King David” enjoyed the “grace and favor” of Almighty God, and he desired to build a “temple” where God could dwell and be worshiped. God loves people to love Him in return, and because He desires a relationship with each person, they become like a “temple” in which God will dwell. When a person yields their life to God's Son Jesus, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and come to live within them. (See Luke 17:21). Even as “King David” desired to build a “temple” in which God could live, every person who surrenders their life to Jesus provides a “dwelling place” for Him within their heart.
Next time Luke shares how Stephen says, “Solomon built him an house”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment