Stephen's Speech to the Sanhedrin

In Acts 7:1-29, Stephen, one of the early Christian leaders, begins his defense before the Sanhedrin after being accused of blasphemy. His speech is a retelling of Israel’s history, focusing on God's promises and the unfaithfulness of the people. Stephen starts by recalling the call of Abraham, the father of faith, and how God led him from Mesopotamia to the land of Canaan. He emphasizes how Abraham obeyed God despite not seeing the fulfillment of God's promises in his lifetime.

Stephen continues by recounting the story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers but eventually becoming a ruler in Egypt. He also speaks of Moses, who was chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from slavery. Stephen points out how Moses, despite being raised in Pharaoh’s household, was rejected by his own people when he first tried to help them. The people did not recognize him as their God-appointed deliverer.

[1] The high priest said, “Are these things so?”

[2] He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, [3] and said to him, ‘Get out of your land and away from your relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.’ [4] Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land where you are now living. [5] He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his offspring after him, when he still had no child. [6] God spoke in this way: that his offspring would live as aliens in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. [7] ‘I will judge the nation to which they will be in bondage,’ said God, ‘and after that they will come out and serve me in this place.’ [8] He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.

[9] “The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him [10] and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house. [11] Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food. [12] But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers the first time. [13] On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was revealed to Pharaoh. [14] Joseph sent and summoned Jacob, his father and all his relatives, seventy-five souls. [15] Jacob went down into Egypt and he died, himself and our fathers; [16] and they were brought back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem.

[17] “But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, [18] until there arose a different king who didn’t know Joseph. [19] The same took advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to abandon their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay alive. [20] At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome to God. He was nourished for three months in his father’s house. [21] When he was abandoned, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up and reared him as her own son. [22] Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works. [23] But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. [24] Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian. [25] He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn’t understand.

[26] “The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’ [27] But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? [28] Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ [29] Moses fled at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

Acts 7:1-29 WEBUS

Key Sections

Abraham's Call (Verses 1-8)

God appeared to Abraham and commanded him to leave his homeland for an unknown place, promising that his descendants would inherit the land, though he himself lived as a foreigner. This demonstrates Abraham's faith and obedience.

Joseph’s Story (Verses 9-16)

Stephen recounts how Joseph's brothers, out of jealousy, sold him into slavery in Egypt. Yet God was with Joseph and turned his suffering into a means to save his family from famine. This echoes God’s sovereignty, turning betrayal into blessing.

Moses’ Early Life (Verses 17-29)

Stephen highlights Moses' birth and upbringing in Egypt, where he was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He speaks of Moses’ attempt to reconcile two Israelites fighting, but they rejected him, foreshadowing their later rejection of him as a leader. Moses then fled to Midian, where he lived for forty years.

Key Themes

God’s Faithfulness and Human Rebellion

Throughout the retelling, Stephen shows how God remained faithful to His promises despite the people’s resistance and disobedience. Abraham, Joseph, and Moses all serve as examples of how God's plan unfolds even through human failure and rebellion.

Rejection of God’s Chosen Leaders

Stephen subtly connects Israel’s rejection of Joseph and Moses with their current rejection of Jesus, hinting at the persistent pattern of rejecting God's messengers throughout history.

God’s Providence

The stories of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses reflect God’s providential care. Even when circumstances seem dire (like Joseph’s betrayal or Moses’ flight), God’s hand is at work, preparing the way for deliverance.

Relevance to Modern Life

Stephen’s speech in these verses invites us to reflect on how we respond to God’s guidance and those He sends to lead or teach us. Are we open to seeing God’s hand in unexpected ways, like through hardship or the leadership of unlikely people?

This passage also speaks to God’s long-term plan and faithfulness, encouraging patience and trust even when we don't immediately see His promises fulfilled. Much like Abraham, who trusted God without seeing the promised land, we are called to have faith in God’s plan, even when it’s not fully clear.

Additionally, the rejection of Joseph and Moses by their own people parallels the struggles we often face in recognizing leadership or truth in those around us. It encourages humility and discernment in recognizing God's workings in our everyday lives.

Conclusion

Acts 7:1-29 is a powerful reminder of the ongoing theme of God’s covenant faithfulness in contrast to human rebellion. Stephen masterfully uses Israel's history to point to the fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus, encouraging us to embrace God’s plan even when it challenges our expectations or requires long-term trust.

In our lives, this passage invites us to reflect on whether we are listening to God's voice, through Scripture, through others, and in our circumstances, trusting in His faithfulness despite our present struggles or uncertainties.