Luke the physician 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 continued to defend his faith by referring to the history of Israel including how “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”, and in chapter seven and verse fifteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen referred to how, “Jacob went down into Egypt” where we read:
So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,
The verse begins, “So Jacob went down into Egypt, ...” Luke began with the words, “so Jacob” which means “therefore, then and on this account Jacob whose name means heel catcher or supplanter” “went down into Egypt” or “departed and left to go to Egypt which means double straits and was a country occupying the northeast angle of Africa”. Luke shared how “Stephen” told the “Sanhedrin” how “Jacob” complied with his son “Joseph's” request and left “Canaan” to go to “Egypt”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and died, he, and our fathers, ...” Luke continued with the words, “and died” which means “and breathed his last, expired and finish life”, “he, and our fathers” or “Jacob, and the forefathers and ancestors of the nation of Israel”. Luke shared how “Stephen” skipped ahead in the story to refer to how “Jacob” and all his sons “died” after they went to “Egypt”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Stephen” kept sharing the history of the nation of Israel, and his purpose was to lead to the revelation of God's Messiah Jesus. God loves people and was intentional in this step by step generational sequence leading to the sending of His Son Jesus to be the world's “Savior and Lord”. Anyone who carefully examines the story of Israel will discover God's “redemption” plan to save all mankind through their circumstances. Let all who read these words understand the purpose for “Jacob” being sent to “Egypt” was to bring forth Jesus who would save people from their sins.
Next time Luke shares how Stephen referred to how the fathers, “were carried over into Sychem”, 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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