Acts 13:17
The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
Acts 13:17 (KJV)
Context
Luke wrote the book of Acts as the continuation of his Gospel, tracing the spread of the gospel after Jesus’ ascension. In Acts 13:17, the apostle Paul is speaking in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch to a congregation of Jews and Gentile God-fearers. He begins his sermon by rehearsing Israel’s history, establishing that the God of Israel has been at work from the beginning.
Meaning
The verse opens by identifying God as “The God of this people of Israel.” This phrase emphasizes the unique covenant relationship God established with the nation. “Chose our fathers” points to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—whom God selected to be the ancestors of His people. God’s choice was an act of sovereign grace, not a response to Israel’s merit.
The phrase “exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt” refers to the time when the Israelites lived as foreigners in Egypt. God raised them up from a low and oppressed state, making them numerous and great during their stay there. This was fulfilled through Joseph, who rose to power and saved his family from famine, settling them in the land of Goshen. God’s hand was at work preserving His people even in a foreign land.
“With an high arm brought he them out of it” describes God’s mighty deliverance of Israel from slavery. The “high arm” is a metaphor for God’s openly displayed power, which He sustained until His people were freed. This deliverance was accomplished through Moses, with the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. The Old Testament consistently attributes this redemption to God’s great strength.
Biblical connections
Paul’s summary of Israel’s history sets the stage for the gospel he is about to proclaim. The physical deliverance from Egypt foreshadows the spiritual deliverance offered through Jesus Christ, whom Paul will present as the long-awaited Messiah. God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises in the past assures His people that He is faithful to fulfill His promises in Christ.
Application
Acts 13:17 reminds believers that God is sovereign, faithful, and actively involved in the lives of His people. Just as He chose Israel and delivered them from bondage, He chooses and saves those who trust in Him. Remembering God’s past acts of deliverance strengthens faith and encourages trust in His continued provision.
For the early Jewish believers, this verse provided encouragement and a sense of identity. It reminded them of their rich history and God’s faithfulness to their ancestors. For believers today, it calls us to recognize that our salvation is grounded in God’s initiative and grace, not our own merit, and to trust in His power to save.
