Acts 7:35

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a Iudge? the same did God send to bee a ruler and a deliuerer, by the handes of the Angel which appeared to him in the bush. Acts 7:35 (KJV)

Historical Context: Acts 7 records Stephen’s speech before the Jewish council, known as the Sanhedrin. In his defense, Stephen recites the history of Israel, highlighting how God worked through various leaders, including Moses. Acts 7:35 is a specific reference to Moses’ role as a deliverer and ruler.

The Rejection of Moses: The verse begins with a reference to the rejection of Moses by the Israelites. When Moses intervened in a dispute between two Hebrews, they questioned his authority, asking, “Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?” (Exodus 2:14). This rejection foreshadows the later rejection of Jesus by the Jewish people. The narrative recalls an earlier incident in Exodus 2:14 where, when Moses intervened in a dispute between two Hebrews, the men questioned his authority, asking, “Who made thee a prince and a judge?” (some translations render “prince” as “ruler”). This episode illustrates early resistance to Moses’s leadership.

God’s Appointment: Despite the initial rejection, God had a plan for Moses. The verse emphasizes that God Himself sent Moses to be a ruler and a deliverer. Moses was chosen by God and equipped for the task at hand. This highlights God’s sovereignty and His ability to use unlikely individuals for His purposes. Despite that early opposition, Scripture records that God chose Moses for a special purpose. Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, demonstrating God’s sovereignty and His willingness to work through unexpected individuals.

The Angel in the Burning Bush: The verse mentions that God sent Moses “by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.” This refers to the encounter Moses had with God at the burning bush in Exodus 3. Exodus 3:2 describes the Angel of the LORD appearing to Moses in a flame of fire within a bush. The text notes the appearance of an angel, though it does not explicitly state that the angel was a manifestation of God Himself. God appeared to Moses in the form of an angel within the flame and commissioned him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This encounter commissions Moses to deliver Israel from bondage.

Application to the Audience: Stephen’s reference to Moses was intended to draw a parallel between Moses and Jesus. Just as Moses was initially rejected but later became a deliverer and ruler, Stephen argues that the Jewish people had rejected Jesus, the Messiah. Stephen’s purpose was to demonstrate that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies and that the Jewish leaders were repeating the mistakes of their ancestors. Stephen’s reference to Moses is often understood as drawing a typological parallel between Moses and Jesus—both seen as deliverers whose missions were initially resisted. By highlighting this pattern, Stephen emphasizes the significance of Jesus’s role in salvation history.

In conclusion, Acts 7:35 highlights Moses’ role as a ruler and deliverer, despite his initial rejection by the Israelites. It underscores God’s sovereignty in choosing and appointing Moses for this important task. Furthermore, Stephen uses this reference to draw parallels between Moses and Jesus, emphasizing the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish people and the significance of His role as the Messiah. Stephen leverages this story to underscore themes of divine appointment and the continuity of God’s redemptive work through both Moses and Jesus.