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 how, “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”. However, later another Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph who made the people of Israel as slaves in Egypt for four hundred years in which time, “Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months. And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen said, “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” where we read:
And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
The verse begins, “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, ...” Luke began with the words, “and Moses was learned” which means “and Moses whose name means drawing out and was the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion was trained and taught” “in all the wisdom” or “in each, every, the whole and everyone of the broad and intelligent science and learning” “of the Egyptians” which means “belonging to the nation of Egypt”. Luke shared how “Stephen” told the “Sanhedrin” how “Moses” was “educated” in every one of the “broad learnings and intelligence” belonging to the “Egyptian” people.
The verse continues, “... and was mighty in words and in deeds.” Luke added the words, “and was mighty in words” which means “and was able, powerful and strong in speech, sayings, decrees and mandates” “and in deeds” or “and in employment, undertakings, arts, industry and labor”. Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to the “powerful” proficiency “Moses” had in “speech” and “industry”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Stephen” told the “Sanhedrin” that “Moses” was greatly skilled in “speech” and “works” according to the “science and learning” which belonged to the “Egyptians”. This would be a part of the future of “Moses” as he was to lead the children of Israel out of “Egypt”. God had a plan for the redemption of mankind through His Son Jesus, and each of these steps lead to the revelation of Him and were important to bring “salvation” to people. God loves everyone, and when they submit themselves to His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Let all who carefully examine the “learning” of “Moses” understand that even this was a part of God's plan to save both Israel and those who believe in His Son Jesus from whose lineage He came.
Next time Luke shares how Stephen spoke about what Moses did, “when he was full forty years old”, 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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