Acts 7:44

“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.”

This verse is part of a longer passage in Acts 7, where Stephen, one of the early followers of Jesus and a prominent figure in the early Christian community, delivers a speech to the Jewish council, known as the Sanhedrin. In this speech, Stephen recounts the history of the Jewish people, emphasising God’s faithfulness and the rejection of God’s messengers by the Israelites.

In Acts 7:44, Stephen is referring to the time when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness after their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The “fathers” mentioned here are the ancestors of the Jewish people. Stephen points out that during their time in the wilderness, God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle.

The tabernacle was a portable sanctuary that served as the central place of worship and sacrifice for the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. It was a physical representation of God’s presence among His people. The tabernacle was constructed according to specific instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25-27). Stephen acknowledges that God had appointed the tabernacle as a place of worship and that Moses built it according to the divine pattern revealed to him.

Stephen’s purpose in mentioning the tabernacle is to highlight the historical and spiritual significance of God’s dwelling place among the Israelites. He uses this reference to emphasise that throughout their history, the Jewish people had experienced God’s presence and guidance. Despite this, Stephen goes on to show how their ancestors had repeatedly rebelled against God and rejected His messengers, ultimately leading to the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

By recalling the tabernacle, Stephen is reminding the Jewish council of the central role God played in their history and pointing out the importance of recognising God’s ongoing work in their midst. The tabernacle was a tangible reminder that God desired to dwell among His people and have a relationship with them.