Introduction

Acts 7:23–34: Today’s reading is a continuation of Stephen’s defense before the Council, and it includes the longest section of his speech. He starts to recount the story of Moses and Moses’s encounter with God.

Today’s Key Verse: Acts 7:31b–32a

“[Moses] heard the Lord’s voice: ‘I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’”

Read

23 “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to find out how his fellow Israelites were being treated. 24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his help and took revenge on the Egyptian by killing him. (25 He thought that his own people would understand that God was going to use him to set them free, but they did not understand.) 26 The next day he saw two Israelites fighting, and he tried to make peace between them. ‘Listen, men,’ he said, ‘you are fellow Israelites; why are you fighting like this?’ 27 But the one who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside. ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?’ he asked. 28 ‘Do you want to kill me, just as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 When Moses heard this, he fled from Egypt and went to live in the land of Midian. There he had two sons.

30 “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. 31 Moses was amazed by what he saw, and went near the bush to get a better look. But he heard the Lord’s voice: 32 ‘I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and dared not look. 33 The Lord said to him, ‘Take your sandals off, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have seen the cruel suffering of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groans, and I have come down to set them free. Come now; I will send you to Egypt.’

Reflect

What did the Israelites who were fighting say to Moses (verses 26–28)? Why did Moses flee Egypt? Where does Stephen focus in discussing Moses’s encounter with God? What did God say to him (verses 33–34)? Why do you think Stephen includes this story of Moses as part of his defense? You may wish to compare this segment of Stephen’s speech with the account of Moses fleeing Egypt and being called by God in Exodus 2:11—3:17.

Pray

Lord God, as Stephen recalled your mighty acts of deliverance, may I be reminded each day of your faithfulness and steadfast love. Guide me as I seek to live in obedience to your will and in accord with your teachings. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Acts 7:35–53: Stephen continues his defense.