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Notes that are not verse specific
The death of King Uzziah is the time God chose to give Isaiah his vision (Isa 6:1). Uzziah had leprosy, and leprosy is a symbol of sin. So, when sin died, or in other words, when the Kingdom comes, Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne. John 12:39-41 tells us that "the Lord" is Jesus. Therefore we can be sure that Isaiah was given a vision of Christ on the throne in His Kingdom.
David Simpson [Worcester (UK)] Comment added in 2004 Reply to David
A notable earthquake occurred in Uzziah's time which is not mentioned here (Zech 14:5).
Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)] Comment added in 2005 Reply to Michael
26:12The specific mention of the “porters” is a reminder that it was the porters, amongst others, that “David and Samuel “did ordain” – 1Chron 9:22– many years before David even came to the throne.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2012 Reply to Peter
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1. Then all the people <5971> of Judah <3063> took <3947>(8799) Uzziah <5818>, who was sixteen <8337> <6240> years <8141> old <1121>, and made him king <4427>(8686) in the room of his father <1> Amaziah <558>.
2. He built <1129>(8804) Eloth <359>, and restored <7725>(8686) it to Judah <3063>, after <310> that the king <4428> slept <7901>(8800) with his fathers <1>.
3. Sixteen <8337> <6240> years <8141> old <1121> was Uzziah <5818> when he began to reign <4427>(8800), and he reigned <4427>(8804) fifty <2572> and two <8147> years <8141> in Jerusalem <3389>. His mother's <517> name <8034> also was Jecoliah <3203> of Jerusalem <3389>.
4. And he did <6213>(8799) that which was right <3477> in the sight <5869> of the LORD <3068>, according to all that his father <1> Amaziah <558> did <6213>(8804).
5. And he sought <1875>(8800) God <430> in the days <3117> of Zechariah <2148>, who had understanding <995>(8688) in the visions <7200>(8800) of God <430>: and as long as <3117> he sought <1875>(8800) the LORD <3068>, God <430> made him to prosper <6743>(8689).
6. And he went forth <3318>(8799) and warred <3898>(8735) against the Philistines <6430>, and brake down <6555>(8799) the wall <2346> of Gath <1661>, and the wall <2346> of Jabneh <2996>, and the wall <2346> of Ashdod <795>, and built <1129>(8799) cities <5892> about Ashdod <795>, and among the Philistines <6430>.
7. And God <430> helped <5826>(8799) him against the Philistines <6430>, and against the Arabians <6163> that dwelt <3427>(8802) in Gurbaal <1485>, and the Mehunims <4586>.
8. And the Ammonites <5984> gave <5414>(8799) gifts <4503> to Uzziah <5818>: and his name <8034> spread abroad <3212>(8799) even to the entering <935>(8800) in of Egypt <4714>; for he strengthened <2388>(8689) himself exceedingly <4605>.
9. Moreover Uzziah <5818> built <1129>(8799) towers <4026> in Jerusalem <3389> at the corner <6438> gate <8179>, and at the valley <1516> gate <8179>, and at the turning <4740> of the wall, and fortified <2388>(8762) them.
10. Also he built <1129>(8799) towers <4026> in the desert <4057>, and digged <2672>(8799) many <7227> wells <953>: for he had much <7227> cattle <4735>, both in the low country <8219>, and in the plains <4334>: husbandmen <406> also, and vine dressers <3755> in the mountains <2022>, and in Carmel <3760>: for he loved <157>(8802) husbandry <127>.
11. Moreover Uzziah <5818> had an host <2428> of fighting <4421> men <6213>(8802), that went out <3318>(8802) to war <6635> by bands <1416>, according to the number <4557> of their account <6486> by the hand <3027> of Jeiel <3273> the scribe <5608>(8802) and Maaseiah <4641> the ruler <7860>(8802), under the hand <3027> of Hananiah <2608>, one of the king's <4428> captains <8269>.
12. The whole number <4557> of the chief <7218> of the fathers <1> of the mighty men <1368> of valour <2428> were two thousand <505> and six <8337> hundred <3967>.
13. And under their hand <3027> was an army <2428> <6635>, three <7969> hundred <3967> thousand <505> and seven <7651> thousand <505> and five <2568> hundred <3967>, that made <6213>(8802) war <4421> with mighty <2428> power <3581>, to help <5826>(8800) the king <4428> against the enemy <341>(8802).
14. And Uzziah <5818> prepared <3559>(8686) for them throughout all the host <6635> shields <4043>, and spears <7420>, and helmets <3553>, and habergeons <8302>, and bows <7198>, and slings <7050> to cast stones <68>.
15. And he made <6213>(8799) in Jerusalem <3389> engines <2810>, invented <4284> by cunning men <2803>(8802), to be on the towers <4026> and upon the bulwarks <6438>, to shoot <3384>(8800) arrows <2671> and great <1419> stones <68> withal. And his name <8034> spread <3318>(8799) far abroad <7350>; for he was marvellously <6381>(8689) helped <5826>(8736), till <3588> he was strong <2388>(8804).
16. But when he was strong <2393>, his heart <3820> was lifted up <1361>(8804) to his destruction <7843>(8687): for he transgressed <4603>(8799) against the LORD <3068> his God <430>, and went <935>(8799) into the temple <1964> of the LORD <3068> to burn incense <6999>(8687) upon the altar <4196> of incense <7004>.
17. And Azariah <5838> the priest <3548> went in <935>(8799) after <310> him, and with him fourscore <8084> priests <3548> of the LORD <3068>, that were valiant <2428> men <1121>:
18. And they withstood <5975>(8799) Uzziah <5818> the king <4428>, and said <559>(8799) unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah <5818>, to burn incense <6999>(8687) unto the LORD <3068>, but to the priests <3548> the sons <1121> of Aaron <175>, that are consecrated <6942>(8794) to burn incense <6999>(8687): go out <3318>(8798) of the sanctuary <4720>; for thou hast trespassed <4603>(8804); neither shall it be for thine honour <3519> from the LORD <3068> God <430>.
19. Then Uzziah <5818> was wroth <2196>(8799), and had a censer <4730> in his hand <3027> to burn incense <6999>(8687): and while he was wroth <2196>(8800) with the priests <3548>, the leprosy <6883> even rose up <2224>(8804) in his forehead <4696> before <6440> the priests <3548> in the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>, from beside the incense <7004> altar <4196>.
20. And Azariah <5838> the chief <7218> priest <3548>, and all the priests <3548>, looked <6437>(8799) upon him, and, behold, he was leprous <6879>(8794) in his forehead <4696>, and they thrust him out <926>(8686) from thence; yea, himself hasted <1765>(8738) also to go out <3318>(8800), because the LORD <3068> had smitten <5060>(8765) him.
21. And Uzziah <5818> the king <4428> was a leper <6879>(8794) unto the day <3117> of his death <4194>, and dwelt in <3427>(8799) a several <2669>(8675) <2669> house <1004>, being a leper <6879>(8794); for he was cut off <1504>(8738) from the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>: and Jotham <3147> his son <1121> was over the king's <4428> house <1004>, judging <8199>(8802) the people <5971> of the land <776>.
22. Now the rest <3499> of the acts <1697> of Uzziah <5818>, first <7223> and last <314>, did Isaiah <3470> the prophet <5030>, the son <1121> of Amoz <531>, write <3789>(8804).
23. So Uzziah <5818> slept <7901>(8799) with his fathers <1>, and they buried <6912>(8799) him with his fathers <1> in the field <7704> of the burial <6900> which belonged to the kings <4428>; for they said <559>(8804), He is a leper <6879>(8794): and Jotham <3147> his son <1121> reigned <4427>(8799) in his stead.
1. Jotham <3147> was twenty <6242> and five <2568> years <8141> old <1121> when he began to reign <4427>(8800), and he reigned <4427>(8804) sixteen <8337> <6240> years <8141> in Jerusalem <3389>. His mother's <517> name <8034> also was Jerushah <3388>, the daughter <1323> of Zadok <6659>.
2. And he did <6213>(8799) that which was right <3477> in the sight <5869> of the LORD <3068>, according to all that his father <1> Uzziah <5818> did <6213>(8804): howbeit he entered <935>(8804) not into the temple <1964> of the LORD <3068>. And the people <5971> did yet corruptly <7843>(8688).
3. He built <1129>(8804) the high <5945> gate <8179> of the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>, and on the wall <2346> of Ophel <6077> he built <1129>(8804) much <7230>.
4. Moreover he built <1129>(8804) cities <5892> in the mountains <2022> of Judah <3063>, and in the forests <2793> he built <1129>(8804) castles <1003> and towers <4026>.
5. He fought <3898>(8738) also with the king <4428> of the Ammonites <5984>, and prevailed <2388>(8799) against them. And the children <1121> of Ammon <5983> gave <5414>(8799) him the same year <8141> an hundred <3967> talents <3603> of silver <3701>, and ten <6235> thousand <505> measures <3734> of wheat <2406>, and ten <6235> thousand <505> of barley <8184>. So much did the children <1121> of Ammon <5983> pay <7725>(8689) unto <2063> him, both the second <8145> year <8141>, and the third <7992>.
6. So Jotham <3147> became mighty <2388>(8691), because he prepared <3559>(8689) his ways <1870> before <6440> the LORD <3068> his God <430>.
7. Now the rest <3499> of the acts <1697> of Jotham <3147>, and all his wars <4421>, and his ways <1870>, lo, they are written <3789>(8803) in the book <5612> of the kings <4428> of Israel <3478> and Judah <3063>.
8. He was five <2568> and twenty <6242> years <8141> old <1121> when he began to reign <4427>(8800), and reigned <4427>(8804) sixteen <8337> <6240> years <8141> in Jerusalem <3389>.
9. And Jotham <3147> slept <7901>(8799) with his fathers <1>, and they buried <6912>(8799) him in the city <5892> of David <1732>: and Ahaz <271> his son <1121> reigned <4427>(8799) in his stead.
Notes that are not verse specific
A FRESH LOOK AT DANIEL 7:
Like Daniel 2 this nightmare is about kings, kingdoms and empires, but this is Daniel’s nightmare, not Nebuchadnezzar's.
The four beast out of the sea represent the four kingdoms that would persecute the Jews in Judea and the diaspora:
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
The fourth monster has been a puzzle for many years, because the body is not described.
19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
The iron teeth relate it to the Roman empire, not an organization nor a church.
The beast is a symbol for the emperor, so we looked at heraldry.
The emblem on the standards of the Roman legion was the imperial Eagle, but this beast is not a bird.
The dragon (“Draco”) was a type of flag used in about the 4th century AD by a Roman legion in Bactria. It was not connected with Roman persecution of the Jews.
However, the Roman legion, Legio Fretensis X, that overwhelmed the Jews in Jerusalem in AD 70 and AD 135, and besieged and conquered Masada and Qumran used a boar on its standards. Many remnants of roof tiles that were used in Jerusalem in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD have been uncovered. Bronze coins found in Jerusalem bore the boar emblem.
The Jews have regarded Daniel’s 4th beast as a boar for a long while. (Pesahim188b in the Talmud in 2nd century AD) .
They relate it to Psalm 80, where the vine is the Jewish nation:
8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. 9 Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. 10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. 11 She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river. 12 Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
13 The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it. 14 Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; 15 And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
Swine were an abomination to the Jews. This is possibly one reason why Daniel did not describe the beast he saw in his nightmare.
Jesus warned about casting pearls before swine because they would turn and rend, and trample them under feet. (Matt 7:26, & etc.). This is what the 4th beast does.
The ten horns on the head of the beast are 10 kings that arise late in the life of the beast.
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:
These kings are the same as the 10 toes in Nebuchadnezzar’s nightmare image. They arise at the end of the Roman empires. The empires ended in 1918, not the 5th century AD when Rome fell to the Barbarian hordes.
and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
The little horn arises after the 10 kings. It is another king, possibly Gog, the king of the north. It is not an organisation or nation. The explanation of the nightmare is that “he” shall speak great words, and would subdue 3 kings, and they (the Jews – Daniel’s people) will be given into “his hand”.
Ellen Reid [St Arnaud, Australia, Isolation] Comment added in 2021 Reply to Ellen
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1. In the first <2298> year <8140> of Belshazzar <1113> king <4430> of Babylon <895> Daniel <1841> had <2370>(8754) a dream <2493> and visions <2376> of his head <7217> upon <5922> his bed <4903>: then <116> he wrote <3790>(8754) the dream <2493>, and told <560>(8754) the sum <7217> of the matters <4406>.
2. Daniel <1841> spake <6032>(8750) and said <560>(8750), I saw <2370>(8751) <1934>(8754) in my vision <2376> by <5974> night <3916>, and, behold <718>, the four <703> winds <7308> of the heaven <8065> strove <1519>(8683) upon the great <7229> sea <3221>.
3. And four <703> great <7260> beasts <2423> came up <5559>(8751) from <4481> the sea <3221>, diverse <8133>(8750) one <1668> from <4481> another <1668>.
4. The first <6933> was like a lion <744>, and had eagle's <5403> wings <1611>: I beheld <1934>(8754) <2370>(8751) till <5705> the wings <1611> thereof were plucked <4804>(8760), and it was lifted up <5191>(8760) from <4481> the earth <772>, and made stand <6966>(8717) upon <5922> the feet <7271> as a man <606>, and a man's <606> heart <3825> was given <3052>(8753) to it.
5. And behold <718> another <317> beast <2423>, a second <8578>, like <1821>(8751) to a bear <1678>, and it raised up <6966>(8684) itself on one <2298> side <7859>, and it had three <8532> ribs <5967> in the mouth <6433> of it between <997> the teeth <8128> of it: and they said <560>(8750) thus <3652> unto it, Arise <6966>(8747), devour <399>(8747) much <7690> flesh <1321>.
6. After <870> this <1836> I beheld <1934>(8754) <2370>(8751), and lo <718> another <317>, like a leopard <5245>, which had upon <5922> the back <1355> of it four <703> wings <1611> of a fowl <5776>; the beast <2423> had also four <703> heads <7217>; and dominion <7985> was given <3052>(8753) to it.
7. After <870> this <1836> I saw <1934>(8754) <2370>(8751) in the night <3916> visions <2376>, and behold <718> a fourth <7244> beast <2423>, dreadful <1763>(8753) and terrible <574>, and strong <8624> exceedingly <3493>; and it had great <7260> iron <6523> teeth <8128>: it devoured <399>(8750) and brake in pieces <1855>(8683), and stamped <7512>(8751) the residue <7606> with the feet <7271> of it: and it <1932> was diverse <8133>(8743) from <4481> all <3606> the beasts <2423> that were before <6925> it; and it had ten <6236> horns <7162>.
8. I considered <1934>(8754) <7920>(8723) the horns <7162>, and, behold <431>, there came up <5559>(8754) among <997> them another <317> little <2192> horn <7162>, before <6925> <4481> whom there were three <8532> of <4481> the first <6933> horns <7162> plucked up by the roots <6132>(8725): and, behold <431>, in this <1668> horn <7162> were eyes <5870> like the eyes <5870> of man <606>, and a mouth <6433> speaking <4449>(8743) great things <7260>.
9. I beheld <1934>(8754) <2370>(8751) till <5705> the thrones <3764> were cast down <7412>(8752), and the Ancient <6268> of days <3118> did sit <3488>(8754), whose garment <3831> was white <2358> as snow <8517>, and the hair <8177> of his head <7217> like the pure <5343> wool <6015>: his throne <3764> was like the fiery <5135> flame <7631>, and his wheels <1535> as burning <1815>(8751) fire <5135>.
10. A fiery <5135> stream <5103> issued <5047>(8743) and came forth <5312>(8750) from <4481> before <6925> him: thousand <506> thousands <506> ministered <8120>(8741) unto him, and ten thousand <7240> times ten thousand <7240> stood <6966>(8748) before <6925> him: the judgment <1780> was set <3488>(8754), and the books <5609> were opened <6606>(8760).
11. I beheld <1934>(8754) <2370>(8751) then <116> because <4481> of the voice <7032> of the great <7260> words <4406> which the horn <7162> spake <4449>(8743): I beheld <1934>(8754) <2370>(8751) even till <5705> the beast <2423> was slain <6992>(8752), and his body <1655> destroyed <7>(8717), and given <3052>(8753) to the burning <3346> flame <785>.
12. As concerning the rest <7606> of the beasts <2423>, they had their dominion <7985> taken away <5709>(8684): yet their lives <2417> were prolonged <3052>(8753) for <5705> a season <2166> and time <5732>.
13. I saw <1934>(8754) <2370>(8751) in the night <3916> visions <2376>, and, behold <718>, one like the Son <1247> of man <606> came <858>(8750) with <5974> the clouds <6050> of heaven <8065>, and came <4291>(8754) to <5705> the Ancient <6268> of days <3118>, and they brought him near <7127>(8684) before <6925> him.
14. And there was given <3052>(8753) him dominion <7985>, and glory <3367>, and a kingdom <4437>, that all <3606> people <5972>, nations <524>, and languages <3961>, should serve <6399>(8748) him: his dominion <7985> is an everlasting <5957> dominion <7985>, which shall not <3809> pass away <5709>(8748), and his kingdom <4437> that which shall not <3809> be destroyed <2255>(8721).
15. I <576> Daniel <1841> was grieved <3735>(8730) in my spirit <7308> in the midst <1459> of my body <5085>, and the visions <2376> of my head <7217> troubled <927>(8792) me.
16. I came near <7127>(8754) unto <5922> one <2298> of <4481> them that stood by <6966>(8750), and asked <1156>(8748) him <4481> the truth <3330> of all <3606> this <1836>. So he told <560>(8754) me, and made me know <3046>(8681) the interpretation <6591> of the things <4406>.
17. These <459> great <7260> beasts <2423>, which <581> are four <703>, are four <703> kings <4430>, which shall arise <6966>(8748) out of <4481> the earth <772>.
18. But the saints <6922> of the most High <5946> shall take <6902>(8741) the kingdom <4437>, and possess <2631>(8681) the kingdom <4437> for <5705> ever <5957>, even for <5705> ever <5957> and ever <5957>.
19. Then <116> I would <6634>(8754) know the truth <3321>(8742) of <5922> the fourth <7244> beast <2423>, which was <1934>(8754) diverse <8133>(8750) from <4481> all <3606> the others, exceeding <3493> dreadful <1763>(8753), whose teeth <8128> were of iron <6523>, and his nails <2953> of brass <5174>; which devoured <399>(8750), brake in pieces <1855>(8683), and stamped <7512>(8751) the residue <7606> with his feet <7271>;
20. And of <5922> the ten <6236> horns <7162> that were in his head <7217>, and of the other <317> which came up <5559>(8754), and before <4481> <6925> whom three <8532> fell <5308>(8754); even of that horn <7162> that <1797> had eyes <5870>, and a mouth <6433> that spake <4449>(8743) very great things <7260>, whose look <2376> was more stout <7229> than <4481> his fellows <2273>.
21. I beheld <1934>(8754) <2370>(8751), and the same <1797> horn <7162> made <5648>(8751) war <7129> with <5974> the saints <6922>, and prevailed <3202>(8750) against them;
22. Until <5705> the Ancient <6268> of days <3118> came <858>(8754) <1768>, and judgment <1780> was given <3052>(8753) to the saints <6922> of the most High <5946>; and the time <2166> came <4291>(8754) that the saints <6922> possessed <2631>(8684) the kingdom <4437>.
23. Thus <3652> he said <560>(8754), The fourth <7244> beast <2423> shall be <1934>(8748) the fourth <7244> kingdom <4437> upon earth <772>, which shall be diverse <8133>(8748) from <4481> all <3606> kingdoms <4437>, and shall devour <399>(8748) the whole <3606> earth <772>, and shall tread it down <1759>(8748), and break it in pieces <1855>(8681).
24. And the ten <6236> horns <7162> out of <4481> this kingdom <4437> are ten <6236> kings <4430> that shall arise <6966>(8748): and another <321> shall rise <6966>(8748) after <311> them; and he shall be diverse <8133>(8748) from <4481> the first <6933>, and he shall subdue <8214>(8681) three <8532> kings <4430>.
25. And he shall speak <4449>(8741) great words <4406> against <6655> the most High <5943>, and shall wear out <1080>(8741) the saints <6922> of the most High <5946>, and think <5452>(8748) to change <8133>(8682) times <2166> and laws <1882>: and they shall be given <3052>(8725) into his hand <3028> until <5705> a time <5732> and times <5732> and the dividing <6387> of time <5732>.
26. But the judgment <1780> shall sit <3488>(8754), and they shall take away <5709>(8681) his dominion <7985>, to consume <8046>(8682) and to destroy <7>(8682) it unto <5705> the end <5491>.
27. And the kingdom <4437> and dominion <7985>, and the greatness <7238> of the kingdom <4437> under <8460> the whole <3606> heaven <8065>, shall be given <3052>(8753) to the people <5972> of the saints <6922> of the most High <5946>, whose kingdom <4437> is an everlasting <5957> kingdom <4437>, and all <3606> dominions <7985> shall serve <6399>(8748) and obey <8086>(8721) him.
28. Hitherto <5705> <3542> is the end <5491> of the matter <4406>. As for me <576> Daniel <1841>, my cogitations <7476> much <7690> troubled <927>(8792) me, and my countenance <2122> changed <8133>(8721) in me <5922>: but I kept <5202>(8754) the matter <4406> in my heart <3821>.
Notes that are not verse specific
Notice that in his 'defence' Stephen is repeatedly making the point that the God of Israel appeared to men outside the land of Israel - that is outside the confines of the limits defined by the religious leaders.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2001 Reply to Peter
Quotations
As mentioned in the April readings last year the marginal references and your memory will highlight many echoes from the Old Testament. If you have not done so you might find it helpful to mark the quotations - not only here but elsewhere in Scripture.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2002 Reply to Peter
The Jews laid great emphasis on the idea that God dwelt- and was confined - to the temple in Jerusalem. Stephen makes the point a number of times that God did appear to men outside the confines of the temple, He even appeared to men outside the boundary of the land of Israel.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
AS FORGIVING AS STEPHEN
They were the spiritual leaders of the people but Stephen's description of them is much less than flattering. They may have been the spiritual leaders but in actual fact they were rogues, power hungry, money hungry and opposed to anyone who got in their way. As Stephen said, they were just like their fathers who killed the prophets God sent to them - in fact even worse - because they killed the Messiah. "You stiff necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: you always resist the Holy Spirit!"
Now they had turned on Stephen. The more truth they heard, the more rage they had. And when he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of the throne of God," they completely lost their self control. They dragged Stephen out of the city and began to stone him.
But Stephen's last words must have made some of them stop to think. "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." How could Stephen be so forgiving to these hypocritical wicked people? The answer is because he loved them and followed the example of Christ. When we are wronged (and usually it is a lot less than murder), let us do the same and be as forgiving as Stephen
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2002 Reply to Robert
Acts 7 provides a handy historical summary of God's dealings with His people Israel from Abraham to early first century AD. There are other summation chapters, like Psalm 78.
Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)] Comment added in 2009 Reply to Michael
BE PATIENT
The story of Joseph is condensed down to just a few verses in Stephen's speech. Have a listen to just the first little bit of what Stephen said about Joseph. "And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household." ().
Stephen makes it sound like Joseph's troubles only lasted a few minutes before he was raised to favour and his life's work beside the king. But no. From the time Joseph was seventeen to the time he turned thirty, he suffered jealousy, slavery, imprisonment, and was largely forgotten, all the time separated from those he loved. Thirteen years where it seems like nothing was going right!
Thirteen years is a long time. But when the time was right, God came through and gave Joseph the relief he needed. Suddenly God's plan for Joseph's life was revealed.
It may not happen the same way for us as for Joseph, but what we need to learn from his example, is that we need to be patient and wait on God's timing. A month, a year, three years, thirteen years or a lifetime. God's plan for you will work out. Let's have patience and trust in Him.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2018 Reply to Robert
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1. Then <1161> said <2036>(5627) the high priest <749>, Are <1487> <686> <2192>(5719) these things <5023> so <3779>?
2. And <1161> he said <5346>(5713), Men <435>, brethren <80>, and <2532> fathers <3962>, hearken <191>(5657); The God <2316> of glory <1391> appeared <3700>(5681) unto our <2257> father <3962> Abraham <11>, when he was <5607>(5752) in <1722> Mesopotamia <3318>, before <4250> <2228> he dwelt <2730>(5658) in <1722> Charran <5488>,
3. And <2532> said <2036>(5627) unto <4314> him <846>, Get thee <1831>(5628) out of <1537> thy <4675> country <1093>, and <2532> from <1537> thy <4675> kindred <4772>, and <2532> come <1204>(5773) into <1519> the land <1093> which <3739> <302> I shall shew <1166>(5692) thee <4671>.
4. Then <5119> came he <1831>(5631) out of <1537> the land <1093> of the Chaldaeans <5466>, and dwelt <2730>(5656) in <1722> Charran <5488>: and from thence <2547>, when <3326> his <846> father <3962> was dead <599>(5629), he removed <3351>(5656) him <846> into <1519> this <5026> land <1093>, wherein <1519> <3739> ye <5210> now <3568> dwell <2730>(5719).
5. And <2532> he gave <1325>(5656) him <846> none <3756> inheritance <2817> in <1722> it <846>, no, not <3761> so much as to set <968> <0> his foot <4228> on <968>: yet <2532> he promised <1861>(5662) that he would give <1325>(5629) it <846> to him <846> for <1519> a possession <2697>, and <2532> to his <846> seed <4690> after <3326> him <846>, when as yet he <846> had <5607>(5752) no <3756> child <5043>.
6. And <1161> God <2316> spake <2980>(5656) on this wise <3779>, That <3754> his <846> seed <4690> should <2071>(5704) sojourn <3941> in <1722> a strange <245> land <1093>; and <2532> that they should bring <1402> <0> them <846> into bondage <1402>(5692), and <2532> entreat them evil <2559>(5692) four hundred <5071> years <2094>.
7. And <2532> the nation <1484> to whom <3739> <1437> they shall be in bondage <1398>(5661) will <2919> <0> I <1473> judge <2919>(5692), said <2036>(5627) God <2316>: and <2532> after <3326> that <5023> shall they come forth <1831>(5695), and <2532> serve <3000>(5692) me <3427> in <1722> this <5129> place <5117>.
8. And <2532> he gave <1325>(5656) him <846> the covenant <1242> of circumcision <4061>: and <2532> so <3779> Abraham begat <1080>(5656) Isaac <2464>, and <2532> circumcised <4059>(5627) him <846> the eighth <3590> day <2250>; and <2532> Isaac <2464> begat Jacob <2384>; and <2532> Jacob <2384> begat the twelve <1427> patriarchs <3966>.
9. And <2532> the patriarchs <3966>, moved with envy <2206>(5660), sold <591>(5639) Joseph <2501> into <1519> Egypt <125>: but <2532> God <2316> was <2258>(5713) with <3326> him <846>,
10. And <2532> delivered <1807>(5639) him <846> out of <1537> all <3956> his <846> afflictions <2347>, and <2532> gave <1325>(5656) him <846> favour <5485> and <2532> wisdom <4678> in the sight <1726> of Pharaoh <5328> king <935> of Egypt <125>; and <2532> he made <2525>(5656) him <846> governor <2233>(5740) over <1909> Egypt <125> and <2532> all <3650> his <848> house <3624>.
11. Now <1161> there came <2064>(5627) a dearth <3042> over <1909> all <3650> the land <1093> of Egypt <125> and <2532> Chanaan <5477>, and <2532> great <3173> affliction <2347>: and <2532> our <2257> fathers <3962> found <2147>(5707) no <3756> sustenance <5527>.
12. But <1161> when Jacob <2384> heard <191>(5660) that there was <5607>(5752) corn <4621> in <1722> Egypt <125>, he sent out <1821>(5656) our <2257> fathers <3962> first <4412>.
13. And <2532> at <1722> the second <1208> time Joseph <2501> was made known <319>(5681) to his <848> brethren <80>; and <2532> Joseph's <2501> kindred <1085> was made <1096>(5633) known <5318> unto Pharaoh <5328>.
14. Then <1161> sent <649>(5660) Joseph <2501>, and called <3333>(5668) his <848> father <3962> Jacob <2384> to him, and <2532> all <3956> his <848> kindred <4772>, <1722> threescore <1440> and fifteen <4002> souls <5590>.
15. So <1161> Jacob <2384> went down <2597>(5627) into <1519> Egypt <125>, and <2532> died <5053>(5656), he <846>, and <2532> our <2257> fathers <3962>,
16. And <2532> were carried over <3346>(5681) into <1519> Sychem <4966>, and <2532> laid <5087>(5681) in <1722> the sepulchre <3418> that <3739> Abraham <11> bought <5608>(5662) for a sum <5092> of money <694> of <3844> the sons <5207> of Emmor <1697> the father <3588> of Sychem <4966>.
17. But <1161> when <2531> the time <5550> of the promise <1860> drew nigh <1448>(5707), which <3739> God <2316> had sworn <3660>(5656) to Abraham <11>, the people <2992> grew <837>(5656) and <2532> multiplied <4129>(5681) in <1722> Egypt <125>,
18. Till <891> another <2087> king <935> arose <450>(5627), which <3739> knew <1492>(5715) not <3756> Joseph <2501>.
19. The same <3778> dealt subtilly <2686>(5666) with our <2257> kindred <1085>, and evil entreated <2559>(5656) our <2257> fathers <3962>, so that <4160>(5721) they cast out <1570> their <848> young children <1025>, to the end <1519> they might <2225> <0> not <3361> live <2225>(5745).
20. In <1722> which <3739> time <2540> Moses <3475> was born <1080>(5681), and <2532> was <2258>(5713) exceeding <2316> fair <791>, and <3739> nourished up <397>(5648) in <1722> his <848> father's <3962> house <3624> three <5140> months <3376>:
21. And <1161> when he was cast out <1620>(5685), Pharaoh's <5328> daughter <2364> took <337> <0> him <846> up <337>(5639), and <2532> nourished <397>(5668) him <846> for <1519> her own <1438> son <5207>.
22. And <2532> Moses <3475> was learned <3811>(5681) in all <3956> the wisdom <4678> of the Egyptians <124>, and <1161> was <2258>(5713) mighty <1415> in <1722> words <3056> and <2532> in <1722> deeds <2041>.
23. And <1161> when <5613> he <846> was full <4137>(5712) forty years <5063> old <5550>, it came <305>(5627) into <1909> his <846> heart <2588> to visit <1980>(5664) his <848> brethren <80> the children <5207> of Israel <2474>.
24. And <2532> seeing <1492>(5631) one <5100> of them suffer wrong <91>(5746), he defended <292>(5662) him, and <2532> avenged <1557> <4160>(5656) him that was oppressed <2669>(5746), and smote <3960>(5660) the Egyptian <124>:
25. For <1161> he supposed <3543>(5707) his <848> brethren <80> would have understood <4920>(5721) how <3754> that God <2316> by <1223> his <846> hand <5495> would deliver <1325>(5719) <4991> them <846>: but <1161> they understood <4920>(5656) not <3756>.
26. And <5037> the next <1966>(5752) day <2250> he shewed himself <3700>(5681) unto them <846> as they strove <3164>(5736), and <2532> would have set <4900>(5656) them <846> at <1519> one again <1515>, saying <2036>(5631), Sirs <435>, ye <5210> are <2075>(5748) brethren <80>; why <2444> do ye wrong <91>(5719) one to another <240>?
27. But <1161> he that did <91> <0> his neighbour <4139> wrong <91>(5723) thrust <683> <0> him <846> away <683>(5662), saying <2036>(5631), Who <5101> made <2525>(5656) thee <4571> a ruler <758> and <2532> a judge <1348> over <1909> us <2248>?
28. Wilt <3361> <2309>(5719) thou <4771> kill <337>(5629) me <3165>, as <3739> <5158> thou diddest <337>(5627) the Egyptian <124> yesterday <5504>?
29. Then <1161> fled <5343>(5627) Moses <3475> at <1722> this <5129> saying <3056>, and <2532> was <1096>(5633) a stranger <3941> in <1722> the land <1093> of Madian <3099>, where <3757> he begat <1080>(5656) two <1417> sons <5207>.
30. And <2532> when forty <5062> years <2094> were expired <4137>(5685), there appeared <3700>(5681) to him <846> in <1722> the wilderness <2048> of mount <3735> Sina <4614> an angel <32> of the Lord <2962> in <1722> a flame <5395> of fire <4442> in a bush <942>.
31. When <1161> Moses <3475> saw <1492>(5631) it, he wondered <2296>(5656) at the sight <3705>: and <1161> as he drew near <4334>(5740) to behold <2657>(5658) it, the voice <5456> of the Lord <2962> came <1096>(5633) unto <4314> him <846>,
32. Saying, I <1473> am the God <2316> of thy <4675> fathers <3962>, the God <2316> of Abraham <11>, and <2532> the God <2316> of Isaac <2464>, and <2532> the God <2316> of Jacob <2384>. Then <1161> Moses <3475> trembled <1096>(5637) <1790>, and durst <5111>(5707) not <3756> behold <2657>(5658).
33. Then <1161> said <2036>(5627) the Lord <2962> to him <846>, Put off <3089>(5657) thy shoes <5266> from thy <4675> feet <4228>: for <1063> the place <5117> where <1722> <3739> thou standest <2476>(5758) is <2076>(5748) holy <40> ground <1093>.
34. I have seen <1492>(5631), I have seen <1492>(5627) the affliction <2561> of my <3450> people <2992> which <3588> is in <1722> Egypt <125>, and <2532> I have heard <191>(5656) their <846> groaning <4726>, and <2532> am come down <2597>(5627) to deliver <1807>(5641) them <846>. And <2532> now <3568> come <1204>(5773), I will send <649>(5692) thee <4571> into <1519> Egypt <125>.
35. This <5126> Moses <3475> whom <3739> they refused <720>(5662), saying <2036>(5631), Who <5101> made <2525>(5656) thee <4571> a ruler <758> and <2532> a judge <1348>? the same <5126> did God <2316> send <649>(5656) to be a ruler <758> and <2532> a deliverer <3086> by <1722> the hand <5495> of the angel <32> which <3588> appeared <3700>(5685) to him <846> in <1722> the bush <942>.
36. He <3778> brought <1806> <0> them <846> out <1806>(5627), after that he had shewed <4160>(5660) wonders <5059> and <2532> signs <4592> in <1722> the land <1093> of Egypt <125>, and <2532> in <1722> the Red <2063> sea <2281>, and <2532> in <1722> the wilderness <2048> forty <5062> years <2094>.
37. This <3778> is <2076>(5748) that Moses <3475>, which <3588> said <2036>(5631) unto the children <5207> of Israel <2474>, A prophet <4396> shall <450> <0> the Lord <2962> your <5216> God <2316> raise up <450>(5692) unto you <5213> of <1537> your <5216> brethren <80>, like <5613> unto me <1691>; him <846> shall ye hear <191>(5695).
38. This <3778> is he <2076>(5748), that was <1096>(5637) in <1722> the church <1577> in <1722> the wilderness <2048> with <3326> the angel <32> which <3588> spake <2980>(5723) to him <846> in <1722> the mount <3735> Sina <4614>, and <2532> with our <2257> fathers <3962>: who <3739> received <1209>(5662) the lively <2198>(5723) oracles <3051> to give <1325>(5629) unto us <2254>:
39. To whom <3739> our <2257> fathers <3962> would <2309>(5656) not <3756> obey <1096>(5635) <5255>, but <235> thrust him from them <683>(5662), and <2532> in their <848> hearts <2588> turned back again <4762>(5648) into <1519> Egypt <125>,
40. Saying <2036>(5631) unto Aaron <2>, Make <4160>(5657) us <2254> gods <2316> to <3739> go before <4313>(5695) us <2257>: for <1063> as for this <3778> Moses <3475>, which <3739> brought <1806>(5627) us <2248> out of <1537> the land <1093> of Egypt <125>, we wot <1492>(5758) not <3756> what <5101> is become <1096>(5754) of him <846>.
41. And <2532> they made a calf <3447>(5656) in <1722> those <1565> days <2250>, and <2532> offered <321>(5627) sacrifice <2378> unto the idol <1497>, and <2532> rejoiced <2165>(5712) in <1722> the works <2041> of their own <848> hands <5495>.
42. Then <1161> God <2316> turned <4762>(5656), and <2532> gave <3860> <0> them <846> up <3860>(5656) to worship <3000>(5721) the host <4756> of heaven <3772>; as it <2531> is written <1125>(5769) in <1722> the book <976> of the prophets <4396>, O ye house <3624> of Israel <2474>, have ye offered <3361> <4374>(5656) to me <3427> slain beasts <4968> and <2532> sacrifices <2378> by the space of forty <5062> years <2094> in <1722> the wilderness <2048>?
43. Yea <2532>, ye took up <353>(5627) the tabernacle <4633> of Moloch <3434>, and <2532> the star <798> of your <5216> god <2316> Remphan <4481>, figures <5179> which <3739> ye made <4160>(5656) to worship <4352>(5721) them <846>: and <2532> I will carry <3351> <0> you <5209> away <3351>(5692) beyond <1900> Babylon <897>.
44. Our <2257> fathers <3962> had <2258>(5713) the tabernacle <4633> of witness <3142> <1722> in <1722> the wilderness <2048>, as <2531> he had appointed <1299>(5668), speaking <2980>(5723) unto Moses <3475>, that he should make <4160>(5658) it <846> according <2596> to the fashion <5179> that <3739> he had seen <3708>(5715).
45. Which <3739> also <2532> our <2257> fathers <3962> that came <1237>(5666) after brought in <1521>(5627) with <3326> Jesus <2424> into <1722> the possession <2697> of the Gentiles <1484>, whom <3739> God <2316> drave out <1856>(5656) before <575> the face <4383> of our <2257> fathers <3962>, unto <2193> the days <2250> of David <1138>;
46. Who <3739> found <2147>(5627) favour <5485> before <1799> God <2316>, and <2532> desired <154>(5668) to find <2147>(5629) a tabernacle <4638> for the God <2316> of Jacob <2384>.
47. But <1161> Solomon <4672> built <3618>(5656) him <846> an house <3624>.
48. Howbeit <235> the most High <5310> dwelleth <2730>(5719) not <3756> in <1722> temples <3485> made with hands <5499>; as <2531> saith <3004>(5719) the prophet <4396>,
49. Heaven <3772> is my <3427> throne <2362>, and <1161> earth <1093> is my <3450> footstool <4228> <5286>: what <4169> house <3624> will ye build <3618>(5692) me <3427>? saith <3004>(5719) the Lord <2962>: or <2228> what <5101> is the place <5117> of my <3450> rest <2663>?
50. Hath <4160> <0> not <3780> my <3450> hand <5495> made <4160>(5656) all <3956> these things <5023>?
51. Ye stiffnecked <4644> and <2532> uncircumcised <564> in heart <2588> and <2532> ears <3775>, ye <5210> do <496> <0> always <104> resist <496>(5719) the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>: as <5613> your <5216> fathers <3962> did, so <2532> do ye <5210>.
52. Which <5101> of the prophets <4396> have <1377> <0> not <3756> your <5216> fathers <3962> persecuted <1377>(5656)? and <2532> they have slain <615>(5656) them which <3588> shewed before <4293>(5660) of <4012> the coming <1660> of the Just One <1342>; of whom <3739> ye <5210> have been <1096>(5769) now <3568> the betrayers <4273> and <2532> murderers <5406>:
53. Who <3748> have received <2983>(5627) the law <3551> by <1519> the disposition <1296> of angels <32>, and <2532> have <5442> <0> not <3756> kept <5442>(5656) it.
54. When <1161> they heard <191>(5723) these things <5023>, they were cut <1282>(5712) to the heart <848> <2588>, and <2532> they gnashed <1031>(5707) on <1909> him <846> with their teeth <3599>.
55. But <1161> he, being <5225>(5723) full <4134> of the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>, looked up stedfastly <816>(5660) into <1519> heaven <3772>, and saw <1492>(5627) the glory <1391> of God <2316>, and <2532> Jesus <2424> standing <2476>(5761) on <1537> the right hand <1188> of God <2316>,
56. And <2532> said <2036>(5627), Behold <2400>(5628), I see <2334>(5719) the heavens <3772> opened <455>(5772), and <2532> the Son <5207> of man <444> standing <2476>(5761) on <1537> the right hand <1188> of God <2316>.
57. Then <1161> they cried out <2896>(5660) with a loud <3173> voice <5456>, and stopped <4912>(5627) their <848> ears <3775>, and <2532> ran <3729>(5656) upon <1909> him <846> with one accord <3661>,
58. And <2532> cast <1544>(5631) him out of <1854> the city <4172>, and stoned <3036>(5707) him: and <2532> the witnesses <3144> laid down <659>(5639) their <848> clothes <2440> at <3844> a young man's <3494> feet <4228>, whose name was <2564>(5746) Saul <4569>.
59. And <2532> they stoned <3036>(5707) Stephen <4736>, calling upon <1941>(5734) God, and <2532> saying <3004>(5723), Lord <2962> Jesus <2424>, receive <1209>(5663) my <3450> spirit <4151>.
60. And <1161> he kneeled down <5087>(5631) <1119>, and cried <2896>(5656) with a loud <3173> voice <5456>, Lord <2962>, lay <2476>(5661) not <3361> this <5026> sin <266> to their <846> charge. And <2532> when he had said <2036>(5631) this <5124>, he fell asleep <2837>(5681).