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 in chapter seven and verse thirteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen referred to, “the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren” where we read:
And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren;
and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
The verse begins, “And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren;” Luke began with the words, “and the second time” which means “and when the Jacob's sons who were the forefathers of Israel were sent a second time to Egypt” (See Genesis 43) “Joseph was made known to his brethren” or “Joseph, whose name means let him add and was the son of Jacob and the brother of the forefathers of Israel, was revealed and exposed to his brothers”. Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to the way Jacob sent his sons to “Egypt” a second time, and when they arrived, their brother revealed himself to them.
The verse goes on to say, “and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.” Luke continued the words, “and Joseph's kindred” which means “and the relatives of Joseph whose name means let him add” “was made known unto Pharaoh” or “were revealed and exposed to Pharaoh whose name means his nakedness and was a common title of the native kings of Egypt”. (See Genesis 46 and 47) Luke shared how “Stephen” recalled the way “Joseph” revealed his family to the “Pharaoh” or king of “Egypt”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Stephen” continued to share about the heritage of Israel as he referred to the “second time” “Jacob” sent his sons to “Egypt” for food, and that time, not only was “Joseph” revealed to his brother, but also “Joseph” revealed his family to the “Pharaoh of Egypt”. God's plan for the salvation of mankind was being fulfilled step by step and event after event. God loves people, and His desire is to save everyone who will believe and trust in His Son Jesus as their “Savior”. He is willing to forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with Him. Anyone who studies the scriptures to discover all the details God conceived, including the revelation of Joseph and his family, should see to what great lengths God went so that people could live with Him forever.
Next time Luke shares how Stephen said, “then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him”, 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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