V. Progress of the Church and a Third Persecution. (6:1-8:4) (continued)
C. Stephen's discourse (7:1-53) (continued)
2. The case of Joseph (7: 9-16)
v.9 The patriarchs are Joseph's brothers. Jealousy- to burn or boil with zeal or envy. Why were the brothers envious of Joseph? Gen. 37:3,4. Sold into bondage: Gen. 37:25-28. God was with Joseph: Gen. 39:2,21
v.10 Gen. 41:38-45,54 Pharaoh is not the king of Egypt's name, but a title meaning "a great house."
v.11 Gen. 41: 30, 31,54 "Our fathers," shows us that Stephen has not disowned his Jewish heritage. This "sustenance" was food for their cattle.
v.12 Gen. 42:1-3 Jacob sent ten sons the first time, who remained behind?
v.13 Gen. 43, 44, 45
v.14 Gen. 45:17-21 ; Gen. 46:26,27 How can we reconcile this passage with the Genesis account?
v.15,16 Jacob and the early ancestors died in Egypt. Why did Stephen say Abraham purchased the land in Shechem, when Gen. 33:19 and Josh. 24:32 show that Jacob purchased this property. Abraham purchased his burial cave at Hebron, Gen. 23:16.
3. The case of Moses in Egypt (vv. 17-37)
v.17,18 The promise of Gen. 12:7 or Gen. 15:16 may be what Stephen is referring to. "Knew not Joseph" may be a quote from Ex. 1:8.
v.19 "Dealt subtly or craftily" means with tricks and schemes. Reference is made to the destruction of the children.
v.20 "Exceeding fair" according to Thayer means he was fair in the eyes of God.
v.21 Ex. 2:3-10
v.22 This information is found nowhere else in the Bible.
v.23 Compare to Ex. 2:11 and Heb. 11:24 concerning "grown up."
v.24,25 Ex. 2:11-14 His brethren did not understand that he was to be the deliverer. Was Moses following his own plan or God's plan at this point in time?
v.26 Two Hebrews were arguing, Moses attempts to be the peacemaker.
v.27,28 Ex. 2:14 Moses, rejected by his brethren. Is this a type of Christ? The death of the Egyptian is brought up to Moses.
v.29 Pharaoh forced Moses into exile. Ex. 2:15 Midian is in the lower portion of the Sinai Peninsula.
v.30 After forty years in Midian an angel appears to Moses.
v.31,32 Why did Moses wonder at the burning bush? Ex. 3:1-3 Was the messenger an angel or Jehovah himself?
v.33 Custom was to remove shoes in the presence of dignitaries. Why was the ground holy?
v.34 God speaking to Moses through the angel in the burning bush.
v.35 The once rejected Moses is sent back to his people to become their redeemer. Make the obvious parallel between Moses and Christ.
v.36 Moses performed signs and wonders. This verse covers Ex.7-Josh. 5.
v.37 The Messianic prophecy of Deut. 18:15 is quoted by Stephen. Peter previously quoted this prophecy in Acts 3:22,23. Stephen is proving that he is loyal to Moses and agrees with what Moses had prophesied concerning Christ.