Acts·Chapter 7

How to Apply

This week, take a moment to identify an area in your life where you feel stuck or are waiting for change. Reflect on how you can embrace the waiting as a time for growth. Maybe set a small goal that aligns with your bigger dreams, like starting a new hobby or reaching out to someone you’ve lost touch with. Keep a journal to track your thoughts and feelings during this time. Remember, just like the Israelites, you’re on a journey, and every step is part of an incredible promise unfolding in your life!

Chapter Context

Now, let’s zoom out a bit. This verse sits in a larger story about how the Israelites, God's chosen people, were living in Egypt. They started off as guests, but over time, they multiplied and became a significant presence. This growth was critical because it sets the stage for what comes next: their eventual push for freedom from slavery. It’s like the buildup in a movie where you know something big is about to happen. This moment is crucial because it signals that God’s plan is in motion, and it’s about to change everything for these people. The energy is building, and you can almost sense the change on the horizon!

Key Biblical Words (Word Study)

• but - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• as - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• time - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• promise - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• drew - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• near - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• which - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• god - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• granted - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• abraham - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".

Reflection Question

What promise or hope are you currently waiting for in your life, and how can you cultivate patience and growth during this waiting period?

Related Verses

• Genesis 12:2 - God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation, which is starting to happen here.
• Exodus 1:7 - This verse echoes how the Israelites multiplied in Egypt, showing the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.
• Isaiah 43:19 - Written about 700 years before this, it talks about God doing something new, similar to how He's preparing a future for the Israelites.
• Galatians 3:29 - This connects to the idea that you are part of God's family through faith, just like the Israelites were.

Personal Prayer

Lord, thank You for the truth found in Acts 7:17. Help me to take the insights from this scripture and apply them to my heart today.Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Verses

Acts 7:51-53, Acts 7:54-56, Acts 7:59-60, Acts 7:2-3, Acts 7:9-10

Historical Context

This chapter is set within the broader narrative of the early church's growth and the initial opposition it faced from Jewish authorities. Stephen's speech acts as a historical summary of Israel's journey and serves as a theological reflection on how God has continually worked through flawed individuals. The chapter is crucial as it marks the transition from mere persecution to outright violence against followers of Christ, culminating in Stephen’s stoning, which ignites a wave of persecution against the church, leading to the scattering of its members and further spread of the gospel.