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 God gave, “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. So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, and were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulcher that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. But when the time of the promise drew near, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, till another king arose, which knew not Joseph. The same dealt subtlety with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen said, “Moses was born” where we read:
In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair,
and nourished up in his father's house three months:
The verse begins, “In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, ...” Luke began with the words, “in which time” which means “in due measure of the torment of the people of Israel by the Pharaoh of Egypt” “Moses was born” or “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 birthed”, “and was exceeding fair” which means “and was especially polished, elegant and comely”. Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to “Moses” who was “especially comely and beautiful to look upon” was born during the time of the oppression of Israel by “Egypt”.
The verse continues, “... and nourished up in his father's house three months:” Luke added the words, “and nourished up” which means “and was promoted to growth and nursed” “in his father's house three months” or “within Moses' male progenitor and ancestor's home for three months of time”. Luke shared how “Stephen” recalled how “Moses” was “nursed” for three months time in his “father's home”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn through “Stephen” how “Moses” was born during the time of affliction for the people of Israel by the hand of “Pharaoh” in “Egypt”. God's desire and purpose was to send His Son Jesus through the people of Israel, and although people oppressed His chosen nation, God sent forth “Moses” as a “deliverer”. God loves people, and He sent His Son Jesus to the world so that every person who believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who consider the birth of “Moses” understand this was the continuation of God's plan to bring “salvation” to mankind, and may they surrender their life to His Son Jesus.
Next time Luke shares when Moses was, “cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up”, 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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