Acts 7:53

Context:Acts 7 is part of a speech delivered by Stephen, one of the early Christian disciples, before the Jewish Sanhedrin. In this speech, Stephen presents a comprehensive historical account of the Israelites, highlighting their rebellion against God and their resistance to the prophets sent by Him.

Receiving the Law:In Acts 7:53, Stephen refers to the Israelites as the ones who “received the law by the disposition of angels.” This is a reference to the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. According to Jewish tradition, the Law was delivered to Moses by angels acting as intermediaries between God and humanity (Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17).

Failure to Keep the Law:The latter part of Acts 7:53 states that the Israelites “have not kept it.” This statement highlights the disobedience of the Israelites to the Law of Moses, despite receiving it with great ceremony. Throughout their history, the Israelites struggled to uphold the commands of God and frequently turned to idolatry and rebellion.

Stephen’s Message:Stephen’s speech in Acts 7 serves as a defence against the accusations brought against him by the religious leaders. By emphasising the Israelites’ historical pattern of disobedience, he seeks to demonstrate that they are repeating the same mistakes by rejecting Jesus, the promised Messiah.

• Acts 7:53 reminds us of the human tendency to fall short of God’s standards.
• It points to the need for a Saviour, as even those who had received the divine Law failed to keep it perfectly.
• The passage serves as a reminder of our own need for God’s grace and the importance of turning to Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law on our behalf.