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 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 to be 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 Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared how Moses, “supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them” where we read:
For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
The verse begins, “For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them:” Luke began with the words, “for he supposed his brethren” which means “because, since, on this account and consequently Moses thought his brothers or own countrymen” “would have understood” or “would comprehend and consider” “how that God by his hand” which means “that the Heavenly Father God through Moses' help, activity and power” “would deliver them” or “would furnish and supply a rescue to the people of Israel”. Luke shared how “Stephen” recounted to the “Sanhedrin” how “Moses” thought the people of Israel would comprehend that he was to be their “rescuer and deliverer”.
The verse goes on to say, “but they understood not.” Luke continued with the words, “but they” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the people of Israel “understood not” or “did not perceive, comprehend or discern what Moses thought they should”. Luke shared how “Stephen” said the people of Israel did not perceive that idea
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Stephen” referred to the way “Moses” thought the people of Israel would understand that he was to be their “deliverer”, however, they did not. “Moses” was to rescue Israel from Egypt, but it was to be some time before the time of “deliverance” would occur. God the Heavenly Father had a plan to save mankind from their sins, and He would send His Son Jesus into the world to be their “deliverer”. This would take some time, and even while “Moses” was suffering the delay before God “delivered” Israel through him, God intended to use “Moses” to rescue them. Anyone who believes and trusts in Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and be rescued from eternal death and separation from God which is the penalty for sin. Let all who read these word submit to Jesus who came to “seek and to save that which was lost”. (See Luke 19:10)
Next time Luke shares how Stephen says Moses, “the next day he showed himself unto them as they strove”, 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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