By Earle Roberts
When the high priest asked if the charges were true, Stephen did not answer simply “yes” or “no.” Rather, he gave a summary of God’s acts for and through the chosen people.
Beginning with Abraham in Mesopotamia, then to “the country where you are living,” and the births of son, grandsons and great-grandsons (the patriarchs), he followed the people into Egypt and the oppression there. He reminded them of Moses’ birth, his encounter at the burning bush, his leadership of the exodus from Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the journey through the wilderness. He reminded them of Moses on Mount Sinai and the “living oracles” given to guide them for living as God’s people. And he reminded the council that the people in Moses’ day rejected that instruction and asked Aaron to “make gods for us who will lead us.”
Stephen reminded them that Moses had constructed “the tent of testimony” in accordance with the instructions given by God, the tent they used as they moved about in the wilderness, and also after they entered the land under Joshua. He called to their attention that it was David and Solomon that built “a dwelling place for God.”
In his ”defense,” Stephen made two significant points in response to the accusations: They, the chosen people, had refused to follow the “living oracles” given them; he stated clearly in his last paragraph, “you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit.” The other point he made by quoting Isaiah 66, that no house made by hands is dwelling for God.
The members of the council were enraged. When Stephen told them that he was seeing “the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God,” they dragged him out and stoned him.
- If God does not dwell in a house built by humans, what does that say about where we can experience God’s presence?
- They had received, but not followed, the instruction that God had given them for living. Are there any of these “living oracles” that you recognize as applicable to us today? If so, how might they instruct your life?
- What other details do you notice in today’s reading?
Prayer: May your word live within us, O God. Strengthen us with your Holy Spirit. Amen.
