Acts 7:37-43 CSB
"This is the Moses who said to the Israelites: God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. [38] He is the one who was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors. He received living oracles to give to us. [39] Our ancestors were unwilling to obey him. Instead, they pushed him aside, and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. [40] They told Aaron: Make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we don't know what's happened to him. [41] They even made a calf in those days, offered sacrifice to the idol, and were celebrating what their hands had made. [42] God turned away and gave them up to worship the stars of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: House of Israel, did you bring me offerings and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness? [43] You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship. So I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.
Deuteronomy 18:15 CSB
"The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.
A Prophet Like Me
There are verses in the Bible that teach me and strengthen me. Some words correct me, but one that made an enormous difference in my life was when I was living as a defeated Christian. The powers of darkness had me cornered as a new struggling Christian. This verse is found in James and is my life verse. This verse showed me that I still, in a way, wanted to be God. I still wanted to rebel. I go back to this verse when I am rebellious today:
James 4:7–8 (CSB) Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Moses spoke to God with a unique intimacy and was honored to be called God’s friend. To confirm his leadership, God performed incredible miracles through him so that the Jewish nation might listen to Moses, believe his words, and follow God as their true Lord. They witnessed the Nile turn to blood, the terrifying plagues upon Egypt, and the awe-inspiring parting of the Red Sea, where they walked through on dry land.
Yet, despite these wonders, the Jewish people repeatedly rebelled and failed to trust God. Their faith was so shaky that, at the first sign of trouble, they wanted to abandon their freedom and return to their old lives as slaves in Egypt. A minor inconvenience or a moment of doubt was often enough to send them spiraling into rebellion against both Moses and God.
It is easy for us to sit back and judge their lack of faith until we look closely at our own lives. If I am being honest, I can see many times where I have done the exact same thing—doubting God’s provision the moment things get difficult. It is vital that we remain completely honest with ourselves. The Holy Spirit works constantly in our lives to shine a light on the blind spots we often miss. Sometimes that correction comes through the Word of God, other times through the wise counsel of a fellow Christian or a timely sermon from a pastor. Often, it is that “still small voice” in our hearts, gently bringing our unconfessed sins to our remembrance. It can be any, or all, of these.
Stephen is now shedding light on the deep-seated rebellion of the religious leaders, exposing the shortcomings that blinded them to the truth. Long ago, Moses prophesied that God would raise up a Prophet like himself to guide the people, and while many false teachers throughout history have claimed that title, Jesus is the only one who fulfills every Old Testament prophecy. Stephen makes it clear to the Sanhedrin that they are simply repeating the history of their ancestors; just as the Israelites rejected Moses, these leaders are now rejecting the One God sent, despite Jesus performing even greater miracles.
The contrast between the two is profound. Where Moses provided physical deliverance from earthly bondage, Jesus provides that and so much more—He brings eternal, spiritual salvation. While Moses performed miracles as a faithful servant in God’s house, Jesus performed them with the inherent authority of the Son of God, ruling over nature, sickness, and death itself. As Moses was a servant within the house, Jesus is the Heir over the house itself.
By recounting this history, Stephen effectively turns the tables on his accusers. He is showing the Sanhedrin that the wrong people are on trial. It should not be Stephen standing in judgment for his faith, but the Sanhedrin itself standing in judgment for their rebellion against the very Messiah they claimed to be waiting for.
Reflection Questions
- When you feel the urge to “turn back to Egypt” (return to old habits or comforts), what specific steps can you take to “submit to God” as James 4:7 suggests?
- Why do you think it was easier for the Israelites to worship something they made with their hands than to trust the invisible God who delivered them?
- In what areas of your life are you currently asking for “greater miracles” while perhaps ignoring the ways God has already proven His faithfulness?
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for Your patience with us when our hearts wander. Forgive us for the times we have been double-minded, seeking our own will instead of submitting to Yours. We thank You for Jesus, the Prophet greater than Moses, who has provided us not just with a way out of our troubles, but with eternal salvation. Help us to hear Your voice—whether in Your Word or in that “still small voice”—and give us the courage to resist the enemy and draw near to You.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
