The physician Luke 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 began to defend his faith by referring to how God, “spoke on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years”, and in chapter seven and verse seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen continued his speech by referring to how God said, “the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge” where we read:
And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God:
and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
The verse begins, “And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God:” Luke began with the words, “and the nation” which means “and the multitude of individuals of the same nature, genus or people group” “to whom they shall be in bondage” or “to whom the offspring of Abraham will be in servanthood and slavery” “will I judge” which means “shall I, God, pronounce judgment upon and subject to censure”, “said God” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed the Heavenly Father God”. Luke shared how Stephen declared how “God” said He would bring “judgment” upon the people who “enslaved” the offspring of Abraham.
The verse goes on to say, “and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.” Luke continued with the words, “and after that” which means “and behind the judgment of God” “shall they come forth” or “will the offspring of Abraham arise and appear”, “and serve me in this place” which means “and minister, pay homage and worship the Heavenly Father God in the location of Jerusalem in Israel”. Luke shared how “Stephen” told how God said after the people of Israel were freed from the nation who kept them as slaves, “Egypt”, they would “serve” him in the land known as Israel.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Stephen” continued to remind the religious leaders in the “Sanhedrin” of their heritage. The descendants of Abraham were in bondage to the nation of “Egypt” for four hundred years until God sent a deliverer named “Moses” to free them. “Egypt” was judged by God for enslaving the Abraham's offspring, and God lead the people of Israel to the land He prepared for them. They were to “serve” the Lord God in this place, and because they were faithful to continue their lineage, Jesus was born as the Messiah, Christ and Savior of God. Jesus will forgive the sins of every person who yields their life to Him, and He will grant them everlasting life with God. He died upon the cross and rose three days afterward to give all who believe and trust in Him salvation from God. Those who are wise will carefully study the story of the Bible and find God is willing and ready to receive them into His family.
Next time Luke shares how Stephen continues his speech by referring to how God gave Abraham, “the covenant of circumcision”, 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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