Acts 7:27

“But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?”

Context:Acts 7:27 is part of Stephen’s speech before the Sanhedrin. Stephen was a prominent figure in the early Christian church and was known for his wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit. In this particular passage, Stephen is recounting the history of the Israelites, highlighting key events and their response to God’s chosen leaders.

Study:

Historical Background:To understand Acts 7:27 better, it is helpful to consider the historical context. Stephen is referring to the time when Moses had intervened in a quarrel between two Hebrews, trying to reconcile them. However, the one in the wrong responded with skepticism, questioning Moses’ authority.

Lessons on Leadership:The interaction between Moses and the Hebrew in this verse reveals some important lessons on leadership. Despite being chosen by God as their deliverer, Moses faced resistance and rejection from his own people. This incident demonstrates that leadership can often be met with skepticism and opposition, even when the leader is acting with good intentions.

Divine Appointment:The question raised by the Hebrew, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?" reflects a lack of recognition or acceptance of Moses’ God-given authority. This attitude implies a rejection of God’s plan and a resistance to divine appointment. It serves as a reminder that God’s calling and appointment of leaders may not always be recognized or accepted by those they are called to lead.

Rejection of Jesus:Stephen’s choice to include this particular incident in his speech has broader implications. He is drawing a parallel between the Israelites’ rejection of Moses and their rejection of Jesus, the ultimate deliverer and Savior. The rejection of Moses was a foreshadowing of the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish people. By highlighting this event, Stephen confronts the Sanhedrin with their own history of rejecting God’s appointed leaders.

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Personal Application:Acts 7:27 encourages us to reflect on our response to leadership. Do we recognize and accept leaders who are appointed by God, even when they may not fit our preconceived notions or expectations? It challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards authority and our willingness to submit to God’s divine appointments.