the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Acts 7:1-19
Stephen does not take advantage of the opportunity the high priest gives him to justify himself against the false accusations made against him. The Holy Spirit, who has filled him, tells him "the same hour" what he must reply (Luke 12:11-12). He uses the history of Israel, to show the ways of God and His faithfulness, at the same time exposing the unfaithfulness of His people. Indeed this account, which occupies such a place in the Word of God, contains, in "types", teachings intended to serve as warnings (1 Corinthians 10:11). Abraham had been called and he had obeyed (Hebrews 11:8). By faith he had laid hold of the promises which God had made to him even before the birth of Isaac. His descendants had to sojourn in Egypt, submitting to the yoke of slavery, then going out to serve the LORD in the promised land. "They shall come forth and serve me" (v. 7): an appropriate word to prick the conscience of this disobedient and rebellious people.
The story of Joseph, rejected by his brothers and then exalted by Pharaoh, illustrates in a remarkable way the hatred of the Jews against Christ as well as the glorious position which God gave to Him after having delivered Him "out of all his afflictions" (v. 10).
