Acts 7 Commentary
Stephen’s answer should be yes or no. But instead and thankfully, we have a long sermon detailing God’s plan for the salvation of Israel and humanity at large.
It begins with the call of Abraham. With Abraham is the promise to bless the nations through Abraham’s seed. This promise would exchange hands from Abraham to Isaac; from Isaac to Jacob and later to the twelve 12 patriarchs and their descendants. It’s an immediate impression you get each time the names of Israel’s fathers come up.
However, Stephen would focus on God’s promise to Abraham of a “country” or a piece of land.
It is a reference to the LORD’s attempt to get humanity back to a piece of land we know as the Garden of Eden. The LORD had kicked him out from there for reasons we know very well.
The mention of Shechem connects Israel to the land of their fathers. But Israel’s history would see them enjoy prosperity in Egypt before cruel enslavement by the same nation.
With Moses is the promise of another prophet – a prophet like Moses. Key moments in Moses’ life would include the following: the Exodus and the Ten Commandments. Did Moses anticipate another exodus and another law-giver? Yes, the exodus, but from where to where? What would Israel be saved from?
Joshua would lead Israel into Canaan. His mention is connected to the settling of Israel in the Promised Land. They ‘settled’ but God still had no home among them.
David takes up the task of building the LORD a house. But the LORD instead promises to build David a house – an everlasting dynasty. It wasn’t God in need of accommodation, rather it was David who needed accommodation!
Stephen pours scorn on the priesthood by elevating God’s real purpose. The temple was meant to accommodate the God of Israel. “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands.”
Yes, Israel still boasted of the Temple over which the priests presided. But the Most High couldn’t be housed in a human temple.
The land and God’s house in that land among the settled people represent salvation and the presence of the LORD with the saved. Jesus is at the center of all the symbolisms referenced by Stephen. Israel cannot see it. Stephen is frustrated. He represents the frustration of the Holy Spirit by whom he so eloquently spoke!
Mob justice takes place and Stephen is stoned. Of course, it is a cover-up as the only mob present and available is the Sanhedrin. Stephen prays that the LORD forgives his murderers, among them is a young man named Saul. Probably in answer to Stephen’s prayer, the LORD would transform Saul’s hardened heart not too long from this moment.
The church experiences intense persecution and scatters. But who wins against God? The scattering takes the ministry of the Word far and wide. The process continues today.
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