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, “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph”. He spoke about “Moses” being raised in Egypt and defending his fellow countryman. After “Moses' act” of killing an Egyptian was known, “Then fled Moses at this saying” and after forty years, God revealed Himself to Moses in a burning bush. God sent Moses back to Egypt as a deliverer, and he “brought them out, after that he had showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.” Moses lead the people of Israel, but while he was away to receive the “law” from God, his brother “Aaron” at the request of the people, “made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O you house of Israel, have you offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? Yes, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which you made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David. Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him an house”, and in chapter seven and verse forty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen said, “the most High dwells not in temples made with hands” where we read:
Howbeit the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as says the prophet,
The verse begins, “Howbeit the most High dwells not in temples made with hands;” Luke began with the words, “Howbeit the most High dwells not” which means “however, nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover the highest in rank, God the Heavenly Father, does not inhabit, settle or live, ” “in temples made with hands” or “within tabernacles or tents which are formed and fashioned with physical hands”. Luke shared how “Stephen” told the “Sanhedrin” the “Most High God” does not live within a physical “temple”.
The verse continues, “... as says the prophet,” Luke added the words, “as says” which means “according and just as utters, declares and proclaims” “the prophet” or “the one who was moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman who solemnly declared to men what he received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”. Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to the words of a “prophet” which will be revealed in our next verse.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Stephen” continued to share with the “Sanhedrin” concerning “Solomon” building the “temple” for God which his father “King David” desired. God, however, is not confined to any particular building or place because He is omnipresent and lives everywhere at once. God wants to be involved in every person's life, and those who yield themselves to His Son Jesus, will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and enjoy personal fellowship with Him. Those who are wise understand that God is everywhere, and when they invite Him into their hearts, He is ready to abide.
Next time Luke shares how Stephen tells how the prophet said, “Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool”, 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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