Comments for April 29

v. 2 - The place which the Lord shall choose, ultimately, is Jesus - the dwellingplace of the just - the sacrifice that is our Passover - 1Cor.5:7.

v. 12 There are four occasions in Deuteronomy when Israel were told to remember that they were bondmen in Egypt.Deut 15:15, here and 24:18,22 It was important to remind this new generation of that as most of their experience would be of the wilderness journey. The fact that they were bondmen was to help them to appreciate that they had to keep the ordinances of the Lord. Likewise we should appreciate that we were bondmen to sin and, now being redeemed, we should serve our redeemer.

v.3 - reflects the command in Exo 12:15. There is no place for those without the discipline to keep leaven out of their diet for the whole week. This is a particular slip which has a specified consequence - explusion from the people. Any of us who have tried to diet will know the discipline required. This has a lesson for us in the way we live that we might not be blotted out of the book of life where we are written.

The order of the feasts is given in Leviticus 23. Here the Passover and Tabernacles are given especial emphasis as marking the beginning and the consummation of God's ways with Israel; the former speaking of redemption, the foundation of all: the
latter, or re - gathered Israel blessed in the kingdom.

:12 That Israel were to remember that they were bondmen in Egypt was to enable them to remember the deliverance that they had experienced. It is so easy to forget what has been done for us. We have been delivered from a situation that is worse than being slave in Egypt. We have been delivered from death.

16:6  Here is confirmation that Israel left Egypt 'in the evening'.

V.19  It appears that the gift (that must not be taken) Would have been taken as a form of bribery. It is described as something that would blind.(or put a film over the eyes) and pervert (twist) the words of the righteous.

The Feast of Weeks was 50 days after the Passover.  Barley harvest commenced at Passover (our Easter time), and within 7 weeks the wheat harvest had begun.  This 50 days was known as Pentecost, from the word for 50.  But Pentecost was also the anniversary of God giving (Acts 2:1) the power to start Christ's
ecclesia was given.

V.1 The month Aviv (March/April) marked spring.  Aviv is a Canaanite name.  Most countries in the Near East started their year in spring.  Israel chose to start their year in the fall (Ethanim - September/October).  They did change it to spring during and after the Babylonian exile only to be later changed back to fall by the rabbis.  Also, Babylonian month names were adopted, and so Aviv became Nisan and Ethanim became Tishri. 

16:2       In saying that Israel were to keep the feast in ‘the place which the Lord shall choose’ Israel are being reminded of what Moses had said in Deut 12:11 but even at this late point in the wilderness Journey they did not know where it would be.

V.3-4 - they left Egypt/sin in haste and there was no corrupting yeast used. Similarly, we need to flee from sin and not turn back Gen 19:26 or we risk facilitating the entrance of sin and corruption into our thinking and actions Matt 16:11-12. We need to be humble, not puffed up and corrupted, for at best we are unworthy servants Luke 17:10 dependant on God's mercy and grace.

16 As we saw in chapter 12 the emphasis on where the feasts were to be keep was to be where God had chosen to place His name. Worship has to be on Gods terms even if that requirement is not convenient. Just as it would not have been convenient for many in Israel to travel to Jerusalem three times in the year.

16:19   We are familiar with the idea that a ‘gift’ – that is a bribe, corrupts. Lest we think that we cannot be tainted in such a way and thereby be inclined to accept gifts we should notice that such ‘gifts’ corrupt even the ‘righteous’.

V.10 The Feast of Weeks was the Harvest Festival held on the 50th. Day (7 weeks after Passover). In the New Testament, the feast is known as Pentecost (Greek for fiftieth).

V.13 The Feast of Tabernacles (booths) was held for one week in the fall (15-22 Tishri). It was designed to recount Israel’s wilderness journey in which they dwelt in booths; and it was also part of harvest thanksgiving.

16:2-6 The first Passover was kept with each family in its own house before the children of Israel. Left Egypt. However when they were in the land of promise they had to travel to Jerusalem each year for this is the place that God chose. So the nation had to trust that God would preserve their possessions in the cities they left to go and keep the feast.

V.1 The moth Aviv will later be changed to Nisan under the Babylonian rule (Neh 2:1; Est 3:7).  Aviv actually means green as part of a phrase the green ears of barley.  It indicates springtime. The largest city in Israel is Tel-Aviv which means Springhill.

V.19 This is such a difference with the dispensation of justice which we see today.  Today we see corruption; the rich being treated differently than the poor; important persons often getting a free pass etc.  But, when Christ returns and dispenses His justice, all will be treated equally.

Immediately before this review of the Passover (1-8) is a reminder about firstborn animals (15:19-23). Is God suggesting that the firstborn animal, which had to be sacrificed anyway, be saved until the Passover and sacrificed then? In this way a single lamb could carry out multiple functions; presumably a welcome proposition to the poor? Jesus too was a single sacrifice, but fulfilled all of the types and shadows of the law in one go.

In chapter 16 the same phrase, "in the place which the Lord shall choose to place his name" occurs three times (2, 6 & 11). On the first 2 occasions it relates to place where the Passover lamb was sacrificed.  Surely this must have been of comfort to Christ to know that his Father's name, and all that it stood for, was exactly where he was being crucified. However we understand Christ's quotation from Psalm 22v1, he knew God was with him as he became our sacrificial lamb.

Deut 16:10,17;Luke 12:48 - a general principle that to whom much is given much is required.

Deut 16:21 - Not fully following or fully trusting in God; worshipping more than one thing and not being singleminded. What are the idols and distractions that take us away from fully serving God?

16:14-15 Notice these feasts were not a time for sadness but rejoicing. They were to remember that they had been saved from Egypt. Do we view our remembrance of Jesus death and resurrection with rejoicing? Or do we meet together to remember Jesus out of a sense of duty, or habit?

16:17  The injunction that every man was to give as he was able is the basis for Paul’s comment in 2Cor 8:12

PAY DAY

In an agricultural society, such as Israel became when they inherited the land God had promised them, life revolves around the seasons. In our city life, we live from week to week or month to month depending on how we get paid. We tend to have relatively constant incomes with little fluctuation during the course of the year. But this was not so with Israel. Harvest time was the time when most of the income for the year was gathered in - all at once. No doubt there were other smaller harvests of figs, olives or vegetables, but their main crop of wheat or barley and grapes would keep them going throughout the year.

It was at this harvest time that Israel were to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles. "Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your wine press. Be joyful at your feast - you, your sons, your daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns." (Deut 16:13-14) It continues, saying, "For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete." (v.15)

We don't have a harvest time at which we can celebrate the blessings of God and rejoice in them. But just because there is no specific time, let's not take God's blessings for granted, but rather rejoice in the Lord and give him praise each time we get paid.

16:17   Ezra 2:69 – tells us that when the captives returned from Babylon they gave for the work “according to their ability” showing that at least this element of the law of Moses was observed at that time.

16:18-20   The appointment of Judges to give judgement is, of itself, not sufficient. The judges must also be men of integrity. It is all too easy for men to appoint men who will favour their own cause rather than that of truth. Whilst we do not appoint such individuals toady we need to take care that we are unbiased in all our dealings with others.

16:7  In the wilderness Israel did not know – though maybe they could have worked it out – where they would focus their sacrifices. It was to be Zion but that location was a long time coming. However a principle was being taught. Sacrifice to God must be on His terms, according to His ordinances. We do well to remember that in our own lives. We should not please ourselves. Rather we should please Him who has called us. 

16:3   Here and Exo 12:33 Israel are shown as leaving Egypt in haste.  Isaiah – Isa 52:12 – shows a more leisurely deliverance at a time yet future to the time of the Exodus.

16:19-20        God’s command here was to prevent Israel mixing their worship of Him with the sort of worship that was conducted in the land of the false Gods. Trees and groves were a significant element of the worship of the Canaanites. This is confirmed by the warning about setting up an image.

16:17   this injunction that a man should give “according as he is able” repeats the principle taught at Sinai – Lev 27:8

16:21-22        It may seem obvious that things relating to false worship should not be set up near to the tabernacle or any other place of worship of the Lord. However if we are not careful we do exactly that. We may be involved in worshipping God whilst our mind is elsewhere on ungodly things.

16:2-3 In chapter 12:11 the nation were told that God would choose a place. As he now speaks of that place in terms of keeping the Passover we might imagine that the people would wonder where it would be in the land of Canaan. Jerusalem – on a hill with no river close by might have been the last place that the people would have imagined as they took possession of the land.

16:9 There is one occasion in the gospels when sabbaths are counted – Luke 6:1. Because Israel were to count sabbaths from passover we can conclude that the reference in Luke is to two weeks after passover.

16:17 The challenge is that we have to recognise what God has given us rather than having been told exactly how much we should give to God. In reality the blessing that we have received of him is freedom from slavery to sin. So we should be willing to give Him everything which includes all or our time.

16:3  the inference is that Israel would eat leavened bread regularly, unleavened bread being the exception. The command when Israel were about to leave Egypt had a practical purpose – there was not time to make leavened bread. The feast that was to be kept every year was not as rushed. In fact the nation had time to prepare for hit. However the unleavened bread was to serve as a reminder of the speedy way in which God delivered them from Egypt.

16:9  Notice how, on this occasion, the requirements of the Law of Moses mean that the offerer has to think about his life and the blessings of God as his offering is based on his own perception of those blessings.

v.2 - 5 - There is a great deal of wisdom required on the (relatively rare) occasions when the demands of society conflict with the teaching of God. One of the greatest reasons to develop Godly wisdom so entirely is to deal with these very situations, and to advise those who have less experience and wisdom when they meet these times in their lives. Nevertheless, Paul reminds us that God is in control of the powers that be. Rom. 13:1-4, though he also says "We ought to obey God rather than men" Acts 5:29.

v. 1 The shining face and bold face are both comments upon the benefits of acquiring wisdom. They are a consequence of God's blessing [Numbers 6:25] and is associated with salvation [Psalm 31:16 80:7]

v.12 - Consider these passages: ch.7:15, Rom.2:5, 9:22, 2Pet.2:9, Matt.25:34-46

Isaiah draws upon the counsel of this chapter

The wise man is laying down a principle which is universally true - even though often it appears that the wicked do actually prosper.

:17 So we realise that knowledge of God only comes from His own revelation of Himself - as is also seen Ecclesiastes 3:11. For us that revelation is His word.

8:1 An example of a man who manifest these characteristics is Stephen Acts 6:15 Stephen, against the opposition of the Jews kept the king's commandment as spoken of in this chapter.

V.7  "knoweth not that which shall be." All men, both kings and subjects are on the same level. There is one event, whose coming cannot be foreseen, so no man has the power over death. Since all will come to this end, the wise man will bide his time and not try to force events by rebellion.

Verse 14 depends on your point of view, doesn't it? Bad things happen to good people, and good things to bad, but when you see it from another perspective you could say that the good get what they deserve because they are in fact sinful, and God is merciful to the bad and gives him more good than they deserve! Either way, God is glorified by the way He has set up the world. When we realise that we are all sinners and all deserve death for it, we can be glad when it in fact doesn't come immediately (v11) and also that the difficult things we suffer can actually bring our lives into perspective.

Vs.16,17 It does not matter how clever or sophisticated man becomes, he will never be able to quantify or qualify God or His works.

JUST DESSERTS
 
It's that age old struggle that so many people have tried to deal with and few have come up with an answer for.  Even Solomon seemed to struggle as he grappled for understanding.  In the end Solomon added it to his basket of "meaningless things."  This is what he said, "There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve.  This too, I say, is meaningless." (Ecc 8:14)
 
We need to remember as we consider this dilemma, that Solomon was speaking about his observations of life, and in particular, he was looking to see whether there was meaning to life without God.  Here we can come to the conclusion that life without God does not make sense at all.  Even those who serve him do not seem to get rewarded.
 
But this life is not the time of reward or punishment (although God may choose to do so if he wishes), now is our time to be tested.  Will we live for God or not?  It is the time to make our choice and step out in faith.  Then at the return of Christ "God will give to each person according to what he has done.  To those who by persistence in doing good ... he will give eternal life.  But for those who are self seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." (Rom 2:6-8)
 
With God in the picture we can begin to understand the meaningless things that seem out of place without him.

V.2 The oath of God is the covenant which God made with Abraham and with David, Solomon remembered Psa 89:35-36 "I have sworn" and the penalties if David's children should forsake it  V.30-32; inflicted on Solomon himself, yet God not utterly forsaking him.V.33-34

Ecc 8:1 speaks of a person who has wisdom.  His face shines. The AV says that “the boldness of his face shall be changed.”  The word “boldness” is usually translated as “strength”. The wise person  will often have a peaceful face.  Many of our elderly Brothers and Sisters have lovely, peaceful faces.  Their faith has affected their lives, and they look at the world in a different way to many others of their age.

8:6 The preacher returns to, and draws upon, the points that were made in Ecc 3:1-8

V.7 - there are and have been many psychics but the Bible clearly says no one can predict the future as John Wilson touched on. On the other hand, I wonder if some actually have forms of ESP which is sometimes used by the authorities to help locate victims, etc.

8:8  Death is the inevitable end for all. However with modern medicine we are able to prolong life. Indeed it seems that we now expect that modern medicine can treat all our ills. We may even feel that modern medicine is failing if it cannot solve our medical problems. However we must realise that man has no control over his destiny. God is in control and we should appreciate that point and live accordingly.

8:2    The ‘king’ whose commandments are to be kept is God.  The subjects of a king owe him allegiance, in like manner we owe our King total allegiance.

V.15 The preacher concludes that one should enjoy oneself in this lifetime because life is essentially meaningless. Paul would agree with the preacher if life had no meaning. But, Paul believed that true followers of Jesus would be brought back to life to live forever without the pain of this present world (1Cor 15:32,53,54; Rev 21:4).

8:5 The way that the one who keeps the commandment has no evil echoes the way in which Moses speaks to Joshua and Caleb – Psa 91:10 - about their experience in the wilderness.

V.11 Because Yahweh does not immediately pass sentence on sinners, the wicked will continue to sin.  Some choose to believe that Yahweh does not see their sin.  This was the case of the ancients of Israel committing abominations in Jerusalem (Eze 8:12).  Today, people think they have immunity because they have decided that God is dead. But, He is very much alive and He will dispense justice in His own time.  Yahweh, in His mercy, waits before levelling a sentence so as to give the sinner time to repent.

8:14 It is not possible to look at a man’s circumstances and determine whether he is pleasing to God or not. This contrasts with the way that human nature views things. Success is viewed as a virtue and poverty or a difficult life if viewed as an indication that we should not have anything to do with that person. However God does not judge according to outward appearances. So why do we?

8:4   It is because that the king has ‘power’ – Hebrew ‘domineer’ that a king may be unwilling to listen to wise counsel – Ecc 4:13

8:3       The ‘king’ in whose sight we are to stand is God. We should not seek to avoid His eye so that we can do evil. He actually sees everything.

8:9       Twice in this chapter, here and Ecc 8:16, the wise man applies his heart. This is not simply an emotional response to decision making. Rather it is an acknowledgement that decisions, though reasoned out and logically correct, must also affect the emotions. Our beliefs should mould the way we live.

1. Ecc 8:1 - (NIV) "...Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance" (Exo 34:29-35;Acts 6:15).

2. Ecc 8:5-6 - (NIV) "...and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter" (Ecc 3:1).

3. Ecc 8:9 - "to his own hurt" (or it may mean, to the hurt of the subject).

4. Ecc 8:12 - (NIV) "...a wicked man...lives a long time...it will go better with God fearing men" (judgment affirmed).

5. Ecc 8:13 - (NIV) "the wicked...it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow" (ultimate justice).

6. Ecc 8:14 - (NIV) "righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve" (in this mortal life the righteous and wicked do not always get what they deserve).

7. Ecc 8:15 - in the face of seeming temporal injustice, rejoice in the gift of this life.

8. Ecc 8:17;Isa 55:8-9.

8:6-7    Man’s misery is because he does not know the purpose of God. Without a knowledge of the purpose of God and an acceptance of it life is truly futile. Those who have embraced the hope of the kingdom of God, seeing the future against the background of a life that may seem pointless, can have confidence.

8:11     Here we read a true principle which is to be used at all times and is especially true in the rearing of children. Wrong behaviour should be dealt with immediately. Not put off to a later time – like “Just wait until your dad gets home”.

8:10      This is like a man who has a religious outlook which is not enlightened by an understanding of the Bible. He passes off the scene and is not remembered nor does he have a hope.

8:4       The idea that because a man is king his words have power is the basis for the comment in Heb 1:3 which speaks of the word of Jesus’ power.

Summary of Ecclesiastes 8

8:1-5      If you are wise you will keep God’s commandments

              And not stray from him

8:6-15    because man cannot work out his own destiny

             Because he cannot foretell the future

             Even though the wicked seem not to be judged immediately

             Actually the just and unjust share the same experiences

             So, rather than complain, accept the life God gives you

8:16-17  remember man cannot, by his own wisdom, work out God’s plan with individuals

8:1  the shining face is the face that has been enlightened by the Word of God – Psa 19:7-8

8:1 When Christ was transfigured the experience made, “his face to shine”: “his face did shine” (Mt. 17:2). And “the boldness of his face …[was] … changed” for “the fashion of his countenance was altered” (Lk. 9:29). So the transfiguration was a physical manifestation of the wisdom of Christ. As such, the transfiguration showed Christ as the greater Solomon. When God said, “This is my beloved Son” (Mt. 17:5), this links with Solomon for of Solomon it is written: “and Yahweh loved him. And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of Yahweh” (2 Sam. 12:24,25), the name “Jedidiah” <3041> meaning ‘beloved of Yah’.

8:16-17  When we read scripture we realise that there are many things we cannot explain, or even understand, at times. This should not cause us to doubt the Creator’s abilities or His word. The foundation of the Christian faith is that God raised Jesus from the dead. We cannot explain that but it does not stop us believing it. In like manner just because we cannot explain something God says he has done is not a reason to doubt what he says he has done.

8:6-8Jesus speaks the truth when he said that we cannot alter our height or our appearance (Matt 6:27, Matt 5:36) . Nor do we know our own future (Ecc 8:7). We might, by keeping healthy, think we have control over our life. However in reality we do not (Ecc 8:8) but more importantly we are in involved in “warfare” – warfare against the flesh. The battle will be won by those who are “exercised” (Heb 12:11) in that warfare. So we can change our appearance – not our outward appearance but the “inner man”

8:4 We take it for granted that a king has all power and can do as he pleases. However we may question the wisdom or actions of God when things happen in our lives that we do not like.

When we are tempted to question God we should reflect on the position of a king.

8:3  There are only two situations in which we can place ourselves. The one we should strive for all the time is to be in God’s presence. The alternative is unthinkable – being separated from him by some hasty action or thought.

8:1 So the writer draws a contrast for us to consider. Using human values a man’s face “shines” because of his prosperity. Honour is given to the successful in this worlds things. But it is God’s wisdom that really elevates a man or woman. The remainder of the chapter is, therefore, encouraging adherence to the king’s words in contrast to what can be seen in the wicked.

v. 55 - Stephen shared this experience with Isaiah (ch.6:1-3) and Ezekiel (ch.1:26-28) and John (Rev.21:11) and by us too if we believe (2Cor.4:6).

Using your marginal references you can see the detailed way in which Stephen uses the Old Testament. The major thrust of his argument is that the 'God of glory' appeared repeatedly outside the land of Israel. Also notice how Stephen, by inspiration, provides information which is not recorded elsewhere in Scripture Acts 7:25

7:17 The 'time of the promise' is the fulfilment of Genesis 15:13-14 so we see that the Exodus was actually promised to Abraham.

:30 In saying the forty years were 'expired' we may conclude that Moses' 40 years in the land of Midian was for a specific reason. That reason was because God was punishing the nation who were in Egypt (Ezekiel 20:6-8)

Similarity between the death of Jesus and that of Stephen.

                                                                                  Jesus                   Stephen

7:25 Here we learn a little that is not recorded in Exodus - that Moses, at the age of 40, knew that his job was to deliver Israel From Egypt.

Acts 7 provides a handy historical summary of God's dealings with His people Israel from Abraham to early first century AD.  There are other summation chapters, like Psalm 78.

7:3 ‘come into the land …’ highlights that God was already there in the land of Canaan!

V.41 It is interesting to note that Stephen describes this incident in three stages. (1) They made a calf. (2) They brought sacrifices to it. (3) They rejoiced in the works of their hands.(Exo 32:17-19) There are likewise three lessons to be taken from this. (1) Idolatry is treason against God. (2) Active participation is a greater sin. (3) To rejoice or glory in it is an additional sin. To rejoice in the works of our own hands is to worship the creature rather than the creator.(Rom 1:25) 

"you said  'Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses gave us'.  Is this true!"

Stephen's answer to the accusations of the council was an eloquent but lengthy summary of  the history of the Jewish fathers. The council must have thought this strange, but something about Stephen's countenance held them transfixed. Stephen was Jesus' mouthpiece through the Spirit that moved his lips. But why did the history lesson finish at the building of the temple, and what was it about the quote in v49-50 that brought the sudden condemnation of v51? Why was this the culmination of those carefully chosen words?

The answer is simple when we look at the quote. It is Isaiah 66. They knew what the rest of the chapter said. They knew that he was answering their accusation by using a prophecy, and they knew the prophecy was coming true. It was they and their nation that was on trial, not Stephen:

The answer was yes, your accusation is true! No wonder they were cut to the heart. Then they ran with one accord and set in motion the events that would lead to the destruction of their nation, and the fulfilment of all these things.

7:6-7  The extensive quotation from Gen 15:13 demonstrates that when God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 15 He was prophesying the bondage in Egypt.

Very few people have seen Jesus since his ascension, but Stephen is one. Paul is another (Gal 1:11,12), and John is another (Rev 1:12-18)

 7:7 Stephen uses his words with extreme care. His quotation from Ex.3:12 shows that the Israelites would be given a Law under which they would serve God. But, Abraham was born and died before the Law was given, therefore the Law was not essential to salvation. Another aspect is that by bringing in Moses at this point in connection with Abraham, Stephen leaves the inference that Moses was rejected in the early stages by the people, and the people to whom Stephen was now talking, did the same thing by rejecting the Messiah.

7:8      I suppose some might view circumcision as  an imposition upon Abraham and his descendants. However Stephen says that God ‘gave’ him the covenant. It was a gift from God. It was the seal of the covenant of eternal inheritance in the land. I am left wondering whether we sometimes view the life that we are expected to live as a constraint rather than a gift.

7:4 That Abraham entered the land of Canaan ‘when his father was dead’ is an historical fact. However it also fits into what God asked of him. He had been called to leave his father and mother – Gen 12:1

The Holy Spirit - part one (see April 30 for part two)

1. The Heb word for "spirit" is "ruwach" (7307); the Grk word for "spirit" is "pneuma" (4151) and they indicate breath, exhalation, etc.

2. The Holy Spirit is the breath, exhalation, power and glory radiating from God.

3. One can't flee from the spirit - Psa 139:7-12.

4. Some believe the Holy Spirit is a deity, but if it is: Why is there no mention of the Holy Spirit on God's throne (Acts 7:55-56; Rev 7:10)? Why is there no mention of it in the Divine order 1Cor 11:3? Why in the 11 occurrences of blessing which  follow the invocations in the epistles is there not one that contains any mention of the Holy Spirit? The word "spirit" is neuter in gender and doesn't in itself denote personality.

5. Luke 1:35 - the Holy Spirit created Christ and is the power of the Father (i.e. God). If the Holy Spirit was a literal being other than the Father (i.e. God) Christ would be the son of the Holy Spirit and not the son of the Father.

6. The spirit creates and gives life (Job 33:4)...the spirit isn't God it emanates from and is "of" God.

7. Matt 12:32 - here we read the Holy Spirit is to be revered more than Christ. This and  John 14:28 are two of a number of passages refuting the theory of a tri-equal trinity . 

First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
5. Israel, his sons and families went into Egypt Gen 37 Gen 42-46 Acts 7:1-18
Go to Gen 12:1-5 for more about First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past

First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
7. At the end of this time, God raised up Moses to be their deliverer. Ex 2-4 Acts 7:18-36
Go to Gen 12:1-5 for more about First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past

First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
8. The Wilderness Journey from Egypt to Canaan was 40 years long. Exo 16:35 Num 14:33 Num 32:13 Deut 2:7 Deut 8:2,4 Deut 29:5 Josh 5:6 Neh 9:21 Psa 95:10 Acts 7:36 Acts 13:18 Heb 3:9,17. Go to Gen 12:1-5 for more about First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past

Stephen's deliberation provides a useful synopsis of Jewish history.  It is interesting, though, that he states Abraham bought land in Shechem from the sons of Emmor (Hamor)(v.16). 

Abraham bought land in Hebron for a burial place (Gen 49:30,31), but nowhere in scripture is it recorded that he bought land in Shechem.  However, it is recorded that Jacob purchased land in Shechem in which Joseph's bones (and presumably his) were buried (Gen 33:18,19; Josh 24:32). 

And so, why did Stephen make that statement?  Perhaps he was using Abraham in a patriarchal sense as father of all faithful (Rom 4:16).  Certainly, Jacob qualified as being of the same faith as Abraham (Matt 8:11).  Like Jesus who came in the spirit of His father and was called by His Name, perhaps Stephen is applying the same measure to Jacob vis-à-vis Abraham. 

7:48 And now Stephen arrives at the crux of his argument. He had been accused – Acts 6:14- of saying that Jesus was going to destroy the temple.

7:22 There's nothing like on-the-job training!  In Exo 4:10 Moses complained that he wasn't eloquent and was slow of speech and tongue, yet we know that, with God's help, he learned and grew.  A lesson for us.

7:27     The way that the Israelite behaved towards Moses who had acted as a deliverer was matched by the way in which the Jews behaved towards Jesus.

The phrase "our fathers" is repeated throughout this chapter (v11,12,15,19,38,39,44,45)

Then when we get to v51,52 we see a subtle difference as it becomes "your fathers" who have persecuted and slain the prophets.

7:10    In saying that Joseph was delivered from ‘all his afflictions’ we see Stephen setting the scene for speaking of the deliverance of Jesus from death.

7:2       Stephen, in opening his comments with ‘... fathers’ is clearly appealing to the religious leaders of his day and ascribing to them a degree of respect.

 Acts 7:45-50.

7:6 When we read both here and in Gen 15:13 we need to realise that Israel were not in Egypt for 400 years. 

7:34 When Stephen said that God heard Israel’s voice one place where that is stated, in respect to the coming out of Egypt, is in Deut 25:7

7:54   In asking his antagonists “which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted” Stephen was highlighting not only what the leaders in Israel had done in the past. He was highlighting a characteristic of human nature. Namely to persecute those who tell us things we do not like!

7:58     In the way in which Stephen was thrust out of the city echoes the way in which Jesus was treated –Luke 4:9 – when he said things that his audience did not like. The link is made more forceful when we realise the Greek word <1544> is the same in both places cast / thrust 

Acts 7:43

“Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.”

Stephen quotes Amos 5:26, which in the Greek reads, “Remphan, [Chiun] the star-god…” This superstitious event imported from Babylon eventually led the Jewish rabbis to call the planet Saturn, Shabbti, the star of the Sabbath! It was not until the First Century of our era that the seven-day week became established and the Jewish Sabbath fallen to correspond to Saturn’s Day (Satyrday)! Israel did come to worship Shabbti on this day, but at a later date and not by command! http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Webster%2C%20Hutton%2C%201875%2D1955/

“With the development of the importance of the Sabbath as a day of consecration and the emphasis laid upon the significant number seven, the week became more and more divorced from its lunar connection…” Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. 10, 1943 edition. Article, “Week,” p. 482.

7:15   Whilst Deut 10:22 says that Jacob went with 70 into Egypt and Exo 1:5 speaks of “seventy souls” Stephen says seventy five were the total of Jacob’s “kindred”. Stephen is careful not to say that seventy five went to Egypt. So whereas the critics might highlight what they see as a contradiction or error in the Bible a careful reading of the text shows that Stephen is not actually commenting on how many went to Egypt.

7:13 This second time caused Joseph’s brother to be afraid – Gen 43:18 – but the second time when Jesus Christ is manifest to them they will mourn Zech 12:10.

7:60  Stephen’s sentiment is seen also in the apostle Paul 2Tim 4:16. Remember Paul (as Saul) was present at Stephen’s stoning.

7:60  Stephen’s sentiment is seen also in the apostle Paul – 2Tim 4:16. Remember Paul (as Saul) was present at Stephen’s stoning.

7:18 In speaking of the king who “knew not Joseph” Stephen is quoting the historical narrative in Exo 1:8

7:37-39  Continuing his comments about rejection the eloquent recounting of how the people dealt with Moses who foretold of Messiah was designed to challenge Stephen’s hearers now.

7:57 whilst we might visualise Stephen’s opponents putting their hands on their ears actually the use of the phrase about stopping their ears is designed to highlight a consistent attitude of the Jews to God’s words – Zech 7:11

7:22 The way that the Hebrew questions Moses indicates that he had no idea of the position and status of Moses as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter