Opposition to Moses: Acts 7:20-29
“20) It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home. 21) And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22) Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. 23) But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24) And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25) And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. 26) On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’ 27) But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us? 28)You do not mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday, do you?’ 29 At this remark, Moses fled and became an alien in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.” Acts 7:20-29
The example of Moses requires more that one part. His example makes up the bulk of Stephen’s message. There is much to learn from the story of Moses.
The example of Moses starts with the observation that; “it was at that time.” (Verse 20) This lines up with verse 17 that said; “But as the time of the promise was approaching.” The Bible screams that God is in control of the times. The same is true today. It is also true in your life and my life.
Moses became the next example that Stephen used as an illustration in his massage. Though God worked through him in extraordinary ways, he was constantly rejected, resisted and opposed by the Jewish people. This was true in every stage of his life.
Again, we discover that the people as a whole were out of step with the plan and purpose of God. They rejected Moses and resisted Gods plan. During the first 80 years of his life, even Moses was out of step with God. It never surprises me who God might raise up to accomplish His will in the world.
Yet, when the story of the Exodus is studied carefully, Israel eventually left Egypt on the exact day to fulfill the promise and the prophecies. God is always in control no matter the human opposition or rejection. He is right on time!
Again, the story of Moses was used by Stephen as evidence against the Sanhedrin. The Jewish leaders and the people were opposed to Moses just as the rulers of the people opposed Jesus.
In the end, it was God and not Moses or the people who got the credit. God is not hindered by human opposition or rejection to fulfill His plan and will in the world. God raises up unlikely and least expected people to carry out His plans in the world. He worked through Pharaoh nearly as much as He did through Moses. God is Sovereign and in control even when we do not understand what is happening in the world.
I am becoming more cautious and much slower on passing judgement on events, people or hold dogmatic views of how the end times will unfold. But one thing I know for sure, God is always at work whether it makes sense to me or not. We are called to walk by faith and not by sight.
Usually things do not add up when viewed through natural eyes. The children of Israel had concluded after 400 years of slavery that either the God of their forefathers had forgotten about them or that He did not exist. They were as unbelieving and hard hearted as the Egyptians.
Not much has changed in the affairs of mankind. I suspect as the end times unfold, much of the church will be as out of step with God as the rulers of the Jews were during the birth, life, ministry and crucifixion of the Messiah. It happens to every generation as the times and promises of God unfold in the world. The apostasy or “falling away” is upon us. (2 Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:1-3)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
