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 God, “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; 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”, and in chapter seven and verse seventeen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the people grew and multiplied in Egypt” where we read:
But when the time of the promise drew near, which God had sworn to Abraham,
the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
The verse begins, “But when the time of the promise drew near, which God had sworn to Abraham, ...” Luke began with the words, “but when the time of the promise” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover at the time and moment when the announced good or blessing” “drew near” or “approached and came forth”, “which God had sworn to Abraham” which means “that God the Heavenly Father affirmed and swore with an oath to Abraham whose name means father of a multitude and was the son of Terah and the founder of the Jewish nation” the following occurred. Luke shared how “Stephen” said as the moment “God the Heavenly Father's” sworn oath to “Abraham” came forth, the following occurred.
The verse goes on to say, “... the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, ...” Luke continued with the words, “the people grew” which means “the people both male and female increased, augmented and became greater” “and multiplied” or “and abounded” “in Egypt” which means “in Egypt which means double straits and was a country occupying the northeast angle of Africa”. Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to how the people belonging to the nation of Israel increased and abounded while they lived in “Egypt”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Stephen” continued to recount the history of the people of Israel. He was leading to the birth of the Messiah Jesus and reminded the “Sanhedrin” of “God's promise” to Abraham concerning the “Exodus” of his people after being enslaved for four hundred years. That promised time was upon the people, and during the time they were in “Egypt”, the number of people who were part of the nation of Israel grew tremendously. God's loving plan of redemption for mankind was being fulfilled, and this increase in number was also part of His purpose to offer salvation to anyone who would believe and trust in His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will carefully examine all God did to bring “redemption” to mankind and yield themselves to the only One, Jesus, who is able to forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with God.
Next time Luke shares how, “another king arose, which knew not Joseph”, 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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