The Foreknowledge of Abraham: Acts 7:6-8
“6) But God spoke to this effect, that his descendants would be aliens in a foreign land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. 7) ‘And whatever nation to which they will be in bondage I Myself will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they will come out and serve Me in this place.’ 8) And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.” Acts 7:6-8
In the last post I made the statement that history has followed the promises of God. Another way of looking at that is that history has been running on the tracks of biblical prophecy.
God revealed much to Abraham. He foreknew the 400 years of bondage in Egypt that awaited his descendants. His people were identified by the Covenant of circumcision. This pointed to circumcised hearts accomplished by the Holy Spirit.
But more important, Abraham ad a foretaste of the gospel in Genesis 22 when God called him to offer up his son Isaac. In that text, God promised to provide for Himself the lamb for the sacrifice. (Vs 8; 14) it was a picture of Jesus and the crucifixion.
Abraham also understood the doctrine of justification by faith. He believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. This happened 430 years before the Law was given through Moses. (See Romans 4 and Galatians 3)
Stephen was laying the groundwork for the gospel. He was saying; “If you claim to be descendants of Abraham, then walk in the faith of Abraham.” Everything God promised to Abraham either has been fulfilled in history or is being fulfilled in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Don’t miss the Gospel. Abraham had foreknowledge of these things.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
