ACTS CHAPTER 7 ACTS 7:1 Stephen, called upon to answer the charge against him, relateth how God called Abraham, and gave him and his seed the land of Canaan by promise, ACTS 7:9 how Joseph was sold by his brethren, and Jacob with his family went down into Egypt, ACTS 7:17 how, when they were oppress... [ Continue Reading ]
BRETHREN; to take away any prejudice they might have conceived against him, and to recommend, not his person as much as his doctrine to them, he calls them _brethren; _ 1. As hoping in the same promises with them; 2. Observing the same law; 3. Worshipping the same God. FATHERS; a word of respect;... [ Continue Reading ]
This command given unto Abraham we read of, GENESIS 12:1,5,6; and it is here the rather spoken of by St. Stephen, to prove that Abraham was in the favour of God, and did truly serve him, before he ever saw the land of Canaan, and before the ceremonial law was given by Moses, and, much more, before t... [ Continue Reading ]
Abraham had as great a love to his kindred and native country as others have; but he had a greater faith, which made him yield to God's call and command, and follow from place to place the will of God, who is said here to have removed Abraham, and does choose the inheritance and habitation for his p... [ Continue Reading ]
HE GAVE HIM NONE INHERITANCE IN IT; it is true that Abraham had a field, and the cave of Mach-pelah, GENESIS 23:9; but that was of no use to Abraham whilst alive, but to bury him in when dead; besides, it was not as an inheritance by God's gift, but it was purchased with his money. NOT SO MUCH AS TO... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOULD SOJOURN IN A STRANGE LAND, as men which dwell in houses that are not their own; which seem to contradict the promise mentioned in the foregoing verse; but it is only to make Abraham the more believe against hope in hope, as it is said, ROMANS 4:18: though there were never so many difficulties... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL I JUDGE, or punish; and so the Egyptians were punished, not by human means, but by Divine power, and with God's own immediate hand, and that in the fulness of time, the very night in which God's promise was to take effect: and therefore it is _a night to be much observed,_ EXODUS 12:42, as show... [ Continue Reading ]
HE GAVE HIM, Abraham, of whom he was speaking, _the convenant of circumcision; _ of which covenant, circumcision was the sign and seal by which, on the part of Abraham and his seed it was stipulated, that they should put off all carnal affections. BEGAT ISAAC, after the promise: so that the promises... [ Continue Reading ]
MOVED WITH ENVY; enraged: the holy martyr accommodates his apology so, as that they may yet have occasion to reflect on themselves; for as they had sold our Saviour unto strangers, so had their fathers SOLD JOSEPH. BUT GOD WAS WITH HIM, to favour and bless him; for God's presence brings all good alo... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DELIVERED HIM OUT OF ALL HIS AFFLICTIONS; the effect of God's presence with him, which to his people is always in an especial manner, not only as he is with all other creatures, but as the soul is with the body, most effectually, so is God with them. AND GAVE HIM FAVOUR AND WISDOM IN THE SIGHT O... [ Continue Reading ]
A DEARTH; this is mentioned, GENESIS 41:54, &c. AND GREAT AFFLICTION; as seldom any mischief comes alone, rapine and many diseases follow famine. FOUND NO SUSTENANCE; any coarse diet, grass or herbs.... [ Continue Reading ]
The history is known, GENESIS 42:1. OUR FATHERS; our progenitors, Jacob's sons, from whom we are descended.... [ Continue Reading ]
Upon their second coming into Egypt, GENESIS 45:3,4,16, Joseph made himself known unto them. JOSEPH'S KINDRED WAS MADE KNOWN UNTO PHARAOH; for the continuance of their sustenance, and fulfilling of what was foretold.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL HIS KINDRED; his affinity, and not consanguinity only, which may be the reason why, though in GENESIS 46:26 it is said, that all THE SOULS THAT CAME WITH JACOB INTO EGYPT WERE THREESCORE AND SIX, (it being then added, they were all such as _came out of his loins), _ yet it is said they were seve... [ Continue Reading ]
Which St. Stephen puts them in mind of the rather, that he might insinuate, no country, nor place, nor temple, were so necessary, but that (notwithstanding they had none of them) their forefathers did live and die in the fear and favour of God, although in Egypt, out of the Promised Land, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
That they carried Joseph to bury him in Canaan, according to the oath he made them take, GENESIS 1:25, is certain; and that this was desired to be done for him out of faith, HEBREWS 11:22; but is not so certain (unless this place be so understood) that the rest of the patriarchs were so translated a... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE PROMISE; of the fulfilling of the promise, either of the increase of his seed, or of their deliverance out of bondage, for both were promised, GENESIS 22:17; though at that very time there were the greatest endeavours to hinder either when God accomplished both.... [ Continue Reading ]
These words are taken from the Septuagint, EXODUS 1:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Pharaoh resolves to _deal_ (as he thought) _wisely, _ EXODUS 1:10, and it is acknowledged that the Egyptians dealt subtilly with them, PSALMS 105:25. For they do not at once destroy them, which might have been hazardous, the Israelites being so numerous; neither could Egypt well spare at once so man... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEEDING FAIR, or, fair to God; which though some understand of the inward beauty of the mind, (which is indeed the most admirable), yet in this place there is no more to be understood by it, than the wonderful beauty of his body, which God bestowed in an extraordinary measure upon him, that it mig... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS CAST OUT; exposed and left, EXODUS 2:2, &c.; now was the time for God to take him up, as in PSALMS 27:10. PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER, an enemy to God's Israel; yet God did make use of her to bring tip and educate Moses, who was their deliverer, adopting him for her son, EXODUS 2:10, and giving him educa... [ Continue Reading ]
LEARNED IN ALL THE WISDOM OF THE EGYPTIANS; the Egyptians were anciently famous for learning, especially in astronomy, and some other parts of philosophy. MIGHTY IN WORDS; he was eloquent. AND IN DEEDS; his deeds were equal to his words; he could do, as well as say, what became him.... [ Continue Reading ]
FORTY YEARS OLD; this age of Moses is not set down in his history, but they might have it by tradition, which is here confirmed unto us by the holy penman: these forty years Moses spent in Pharaoh's court. IT CAME INTO HIS HEART; it speaks these thoughts and resolutions to have been from God, that s... [ Continue Reading ]
This fact of Moses some defend by the law of nature, which allows us to protect the innocent; but many things we know were done by an extraordinary warrant, which we are not to imitate; nor by our own authority to avenge ourselves or others.... [ Continue Reading ]
This they might have inferred, 1. From his extraordinary deliverance out of the Egyptians hands, and out of the river, when young. 2. From his readiness to defend them: it was wonderful, that such a one as he was, and might have been, should mind them. 3. From the drawing near of the time of thei... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHOWED HIMSELF; as one appointed by God to deliver them, which he had evidenced before. WOULD HAVE SET THEM AT ONE AGAIN; with great earnestness, and as far as words could do, he compelled them. SAYING, SIRS, YE ARE BRETHREN; these words are not mentioned, EXODUS 2:13, but something otherwise tha... [ Continue Reading ]
The injurious are most averse from peace, and one sin makes way for another. This was a causeless cavil, especially from such a one as had known what Moses had done, as an essay of his being the deliverer of God's Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
He charges this great crime upon Moses, to hinder him from further reproving of him: though recrimination do not make him, or any other, more innocent; yet men ordinarily use it, as if it were some satisfaction to them that they are not wicked alone, but that others are as bad or worse: this better... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN FLED MOSES; knowing that what he had done to the Egyptian would be discovered to Pharaoh, and his life in danger. THE LAND OF MADIAN; inhabitant by the posterity of Midian, Abraham's son by Keturah, GENESIS 25:1,2. Moses was forty years in Egypt, forty years in Midian, with Jethro or Jether, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
FORTY YEARS; so long it pleased God to try Moses's faith, and his people's patience. MOUNT SINAI, in the desert of Arabia, where the law was afterwards delivered, EXODUS 18:5, EXODUS 19:3. AN ANGEL; not a created, but the uncreated Angel; the Angel of the new covenant, as may be seen ACTS 7:32, and... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WONDERED AT THE SIGHT; seeing the bush on a flame, and not consumed, contrary to the nature of devouring flames; that he might be convinced of God's presence, and made the more attentive to what God should say, and prepared to yield obedience unto it.... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THE GOD OF THY FATHERS; that he might know from whom he had his commission, and by whom he was to be sent. THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, &C.; mention is made of these, because God had made unto them the promise of delivering their posterity, which he was now about to do, the time being fully come. MOSES... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT OFF THY SHOES; either out of reverence to the Divine presence, as JOSHUA 5:15, or that thereby he might show that he resigned himself wholly to God's will and disposal; as in RUTH 4:7, the kinsman, by pulling off his shoe and giving it to Boaz, did resign all his right he might have had to Ruth... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SEEN, I HAVE SEEN; seeing I have seen, I have attentively seen and considered; it is doubled to show the certainty of it: if earthly parents, especially, look after their children when weak, much more our heavenly Father. I HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANING; though but sighs, and scarce framed into w... [ Continue Reading ]
A DELIVERER; or, a redeemer; but only as a type of Christ, _in whom alone we have redemption through his blood, _ EPHESIANS 1:7; as Moses by the blood of the paschal lamb brought forth and saved the people of Israel. _The hands of the angel; _ the power of the angel; it was not Moses, but God, that... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THAT HE HAD SHOWED WONDERS AND SIGNS: God could with the least word or motion of his will save his people; but he chooseth so to do his wonderful works, that they may be had in remembrance. IN THE RED SEA; it is not agreed why it is so called; but this name of that sea is mentioned in profane... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Stephen would show, that he was so far from speaking against Moses, as they falsely imagined, that he recommended none but him, whom Moses had so long before spoken of. A PROPHET; Christ the Messiah, and Head of the prophets: see ACTS 3:22. HIM SHALL YE HEAR; or obey.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS; or congregation; with the rest of the people in all their difficult journey. THE ANGEL; see ACTS 7:30. THE LIVELY ORACLES; God's law and word is so called, as the only rule to walk by unto life, DEUTERONOMY 32:47: it is there said to be our life; and it is the only o... [ Continue Reading ]
Their glory being in their fathers, St. Stephen reminds them that many of them rebelled against God and his servant Moses; as they (their posterity) now were rebellions against Christ, who came to save them, as Moses before had done; but from a greater bondage, and by more valuable means. IN THEIR H... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE US GODS; according to the Egyptians, who held that there were many gods, and divers degrees of gods; they therefore speak in the plural number. THIS MOSES: though they confess the great deliverance wrought by Moses's means, yet how contemptibly do they speak of him! WE WOT NOT WHAT IS BECOME OF... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY MADE A CALF; in imitation of the Egyptians, who worshipped their god Apis in that, or the like form of an ox. THE IDOL; the calf which they had made, which they could not be so sottish as to terminate their worship in, knowing that they themselves had made it, and it had not made them; yet they... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN GOD TURNED, from being as a Father to them, to be a Judge over them, to punish them; whereas formerly he had blessed them. AND GAVE THEM UP; this was indeed to deliver them to Satan; God withholding his grace which they had abused, ROMANS 1:21,25, and giving them up, (to fall from one sin unto... [ Continue Reading ]
TOOK UP THE TABERNACLE, on their shoulders, as they did the ark. OF MOLOCH; the idol of the children of Ammon, which the Israelites were especially forbidden to worship, LEVITICUS 18:21, LEVITICUS 20:2 yet they did ordinarily worship him, 2 CHRONICLES 28:3 JEREMIAH 7:31 and there was a high place bu... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TABERNACLE OF WITNESS; called also _the tabernacle of the congregation,_ EXODUS 33:7, because about it on all solemn occasions the people assembled. Here it is called _the tabernacle of witness, _ because God here testified or witnessed his glorious presence; and especially because in it the ark... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS, or Joshua, it being the same name, as appears also, HEBREWS 4:8, only Jesus is more according to the Greek use: Joshua was a type of Jesus, and agreed with him in his name, and in the reason of his name; he having also saved the people, and brought them into the promised rest; yet the differe... [ Continue Reading ]
FOUND FAVOUR BEFORE GOD; as LUKE 1:30. DESIRED TO FIND A TABERNACLE FOR THE GOD OF JACOB; it was David's earnest request, that he might any ways glorify God, especially in his worship, and that he might know where the ark should rest, and where the temple was to be built, its PSALMS 132:1 declares t... [ Continue Reading ]
1 Kings 6:9 2 Chronicles 3:1,2. AN HOUSE; a fixed and stable structure, not movable, as the tabernacle was.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is also St. Paul's doctrine, ACTS 17:21, which divers amongst the wiser heathens were persuaded of; for God cannot be comprehended in any place, no, not where he is worshipped; and therefore they did foolishly conceive that the worship of God was so tied to the temple, as if he himself had been... [ Continue Reading ]
The place referred unto, is ISAIAH 66:1. WHAT HOUSE WILL YE BUILD ME, that shall be big enough for one so great as God is? 1 KINGS 8:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
As appears in the history of the creation, GENESIS 1:1. It is spoken unto our capacity after the manner of men, and implies that God is too great to stand in need of temples or offerings; and that what worship he requires, is not for his own sake, for our righteousness cannot profit him; but for man... [ Continue Reading ]
STIFF NECKED; a metaphor taken from heifers that are unaccustomed to the yoke. UNCIRCUMCISED IN HEART; such as had still depraved affections, which they ought to have put away rather than the foreskin of their flesh; for they were commanded to circumcise their hearts, DEUTERONOMY 10:16, which also G... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH OF THE PROPHETS HAVE NOT YOUR FATHERS PERSECUTED? This is the rather said to stain all their glory from succession, and their ancestors, MATTHEW 2:12; MATTHEW 5:31,37. THE JUST ONE; our Saviour deservedly, and by way of eminence, is so called; as not only being himself just, and fulfilling all... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DISPOSITION OF ANGELS: or ministry of angels; the commandments were published from them ministerially; or the Son of God, (called an Angel, ACTS 7:35), accompanied with the militia of heaven, (for it is a military metaphor), did in the midst of that glorious retinue give the law, DEUTERONOMY 33:... [ Continue Reading ]
See ACTS 5:33. THEY WERE CUT TO THE HEART; they were angry to madness. THEY GNASHED ON HIM WITH THEIR TEETH: gnashing of teeth is the curse of the damned, MATTHEW 8:12, which men by their sins do prepare for. This corrosive was applied by a skilful hand, would they have endured the cure.... [ Continue Reading ]
FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST; filled with grace suitable to his present trial and suffering. THE GLORY OF GOD; the glorious God, or so much of the throne and glory of God as mortal eyes are capable for to see. JESUS STANDING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD; being justified by God, though condemned by Pilate; and... [ Continue Reading ]
I SEE THE HEAVENS OPENED; God not suffering any distance to hinder this refreshing sight. THE SON OF MAN; so Christ is frequently called; and St. Stephen would by this inform them, how vain they were in striving against Christ or his truth. STANDING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, as an Advocate, Soldier,... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY CRIED OUT; the rabble, or multitude. STOPPED THEIR EARS; that they might show their great detestation of what was said, and might not contract any guilt from it. AND RAN UPON HIM WITH ONE ACCORD: this violence and fury was both against the law of God and the law of the land; and the number of z... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST HIM OUT OF THE CITY; that the city might not be polluted with his blasphemy. STONED HIM; this punishment was appointed for such as seduced them to the worship of false gods, DEUTERONOMY 13:6,10; and though all power of capital punishment was taken from them, as they themselves confess, 1 THESSA... [ Continue Reading ]
Stephen called upon him whom he saw standing, and that was our Saviour. MY SPIRIT; or, my soul: thus our Saviour commended his spirit into his Father's hands, LUKE 23:46 and this disciple imitates his Master, and comforts himself with this, that to be sure his soul should be safe, whatever became of... [ Continue Reading ]
HE KNEELED DOWN; a posture used in most earnest prayers; and if so, he prayed at least as earnestly for his enemies as for himself, he praying for them kneeling, and for himself standing. LAY NOT THIS SIN TO THEIR CHARGE; do not weigh it, reckon or impute it, that it may not remain against them, to... [ Continue Reading ]