Saturday Acts 7:9-16

Stephen explains the life of Joseph.

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Stephen is on trial before the Sanhedrin. He has been accused of blasphemy. People said that he spoke against Moses and the Law. He also is accused of speaking about destroying the temple.

The high priest asked Stephen if the charges were true. Rather than a simple yes or no answer, Stephen gives the longest speech in the book of Acts. Stephen basically says, “You want to know what I think about Moses, the Law, and the temple? Let me ‘splain it to you.”

He began with the promises that God made to Abraham. The Jews had adopted the mindset that the central aspect of the promises of God was the promised land. Stephen is stressing that the biggest part of the promise to Abraham was, “I will be their God and they will be my people.” Abraham did not receive the land, but he followed God.

Stephen now continues his history with the account of Joseph. Abraham had a son named Isaac who had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Even though Jacob was the younger twin, he was chosen by God to carry the promise from God. God gave Jacob the new name of Israel and he had 12 sons who are the fathers of the 12 tribes of Israel. Stephen refers to the 12 sons as the patriarchs. Joseph was the eleventh son, but he was the favorite son. Jacob was not even the least subtle about his favoritism. He made Joseph the famous “Technicolor dreamcoat” which filled the brothers with jealousy.

In Bible study, we often see what are called “types.” A type stand on its own, but also represents something else. Joseph is a type for Jesus. He was rejected by his own but turns out to be a savior. Stephen picks up on this line of thinking and points out the common points between Joseph and Jesus. The brothers were jealous of Joseph. They rejected and betrayed him. But God was with Joseph. After God elevated Joseph to power and the brothers traveled to Egypt, they did not recognize Joseph. They did not recognize him until the second visit. Similarly, the majority of the Jews did not recognize Jesus the first time around, but at His second coming, they will all recognize and acknowledge who He is.

God was with Joseph even in Egypt. He is not limited by geography. He does not live in the temple. Even their father Jacob was buried in Shechem, which was then Samaria.

Stephen is using the stories that the Jewish leaders knew to explain Christ. The Law of Moses and the temple point to Christ. This line of explanation would make no sense to anyone who did not know and appreciate the history of Israel. As we explain Christ to people, we should find out where they are and what they understand and value and use that as a beginning point to explain Christ. The goal is to explain separation from God because of sin and the reconciliation that is available through Christ.