Acts 7:39-43

But our ancestors refused to obey him. These verses sum up the disobedience of Israel. Stephen shows that the rejection of Jesus has roots deep in their own past. Compare Exodus 16:3; Exodus 17:4; Exodus 32:1-14. But God turned away from them. Stephen condenses many centuries into this record of rejection which led to their captivity in Babylon. The stars of heaven. Compare Deuteronomy 17:3. People of Israel! The quotation in Acts 7:42-43 is from Amos 5:25-27. The animal sacrifices were offered to God, yet the people really intended them for their "star gods." Moloch. Sakkuth. Babies were burned as human sacrifices to this god (Leviticus 18:21). Rephan. Kaiwan [= Saturn?]. Perhaps the Ashtoreth of the O.T., who would be worshiped in immoral ways. [The quotation follows the Septuagint.] And so I will send you away. Stephen shows that Israel has always been rebellious, and God has punished them for it. [Probably two million Jews came out of Egypt (compare Numbers 1:45-46), yet during the forty years in the desert, all perished except Joshua and Caleb.]