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, “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. But when the time of the promise drew near, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, ...”, and in chapter seven and verse eighteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “another king arose, which knew not Joseph” where we read:
Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
The verse begins, “Till another king arose, ...” Luke began with the words, “till another king” which means “until the time when another ruler, commander, leader and prince” “arose” or “appeared and came upon the scene”. Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to the time when another “Pharaoh” rose to power in Egypt.
The verse continues, “... which knew not Joseph.” Luke added the words, “which knew not” which means “who was unaware, without knowledge and did not have regard for” “Joseph” whose name means “let him add” and was “a patriarch of Israel and the eleventh son of Jacob”. (See Exodus1:8) Luke shared how “Stephen” said this new “Pharaoh” had no knowledge of “Joseph”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Stephen” continued his scriptural review of the procession of the people of Israel. “Stephen” was laying the groundwork to show the “Sanhedrin” how Jesus came to be the Messiah and Christ of the world, and the rising of another “Pharaoh” who did not know “Joseph” was part of this story. God loves people, and He worked through the nation of Israel to send His Son Jesus to be the “Savior and Lord” of all mankind. Whoever yields their life to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life from God. Let all who read these words submit themselves to Jesus and be part of God's plan of redemption for everyone.
Next time Luke shares how the king, “dealt subtly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers”, 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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