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 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 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. And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs”, and in chapter seven and verse nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen continued his speech by referring to how, “the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt” where we read:
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
The verse begins, “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt:” Luke began with the words, “and the patriarchs” which means “and the founders and progenitors of the tribes of Israel”, “moved with envy” or “burned with zeal and were heated with hatred and anger”, “sold Joseph” which means “bartered and traded Joseph who was their younger brother whose name means let him add” “into Egypt” or “into the country occupying the northeast angle of Africa whose name means double straits”. Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to the way the “patriarchs” of Israel “sold” their brother “Joseph” to the people from the nation of “Egypt”.
The verse goes on to say, “but God was with him,” Luke continued with the words, “but God” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the Heavenly Father God” “was with him” or “was alongside and beside Joseph”. Luke shared how “Stephen” told the “Sanhedrin” that “the Heavenly Father God” was alongside “Joseph” even through His brothers sold him into “Egypt”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Abraham's offspring through Isaac and Jacob” eventually had other sons who sold their brother “Joseph” into “Egypt”. This too was the plan of God to bring “salvation” to mankind, and we shall see how “Joseph” was actually the “saving grace” for the people of Israel. God loves people, and He desires to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. “Abraham's” descendants played an important role in bringing forth Jesus, and those who are wise will study the scriptures and submit themselves to Jesus who is the “Savior and Lord” of the world.
Next time Luke shares how Stephen continues his speech by referring to how God, “delivered him out of all his afflictions”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment