Chapter Seven — Part Three: The Book of Acts
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 07/25/2021
Foundation Scriptures:
Acts 7:19-29
1. Moses’ Birth.
a. When Moses was born, Israel was trapped in slavery, under a cruel and heartless Pharaoh.
b. Acts 7:19 AMPC — He dealt treacherously with and defrauded our race; he abused and oppressed our forefathers, forcing them to expose their babies so that they might not be kept alive.
c. Exodus 1:7-11,15-22
d. The Egyptians were cruel and inhumane—even toward the Israelite’s newborn children.
e. Exodus 1:22 AMPC — Then Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son born [to the Hebrews] you shall cast into the river [Nile], but every daughter you shall allow to live.
f. Unfortunately, the Jews, now, were treating these brand-new Christians, and the Church, with the same contempt, deceit, and cruelty.
g. The devil tried to kill both baby Moses and the baby Jesus.
h. Acts 7:20 AMPC — At this juncture Moses was born, and was exceedingly beautiful in God’s sight. For three months he was nurtured in his father’s house.
i. Exodus 2:2
j. Stephen was accused of blaspheming Moses, but here we see him speaking very honorably of him.
k. Hebrews 11:23 NKJV — By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
l. Acts 7:21 AMPC — Then when he was exposed [to perish], the daughter of Pharaoh rescued him and took him and reared him as her own son.
m. Exodus 2:5,6,10
n. Pharaoh’s daughter rescued and raised Moses as her own.
o. God also used Egypt to shelter and protect Jesus, as a young child, until His enemies were dead.
p. Acts 7:22 AMPC — So Moses was educated in all the wisdom and culture of the Egyptians, and he was mighty (powerful) in his speech and deeds.
q. Moses seemingly had everything going for him in the natural—he was a member of the royal household; he was good-looking, cultured, educated, well-spoken, accomplished, and popular.
r. But none of that means anything, without the call, anointing and equipping of the Lord.
s. Neither can material advantages, accomplishments, prestige, and possessions compensate for the blessings of being in the center of the will of God and fulfilling His plans and purposes.
2. Moses’ Choice.
a. Acts 7:23 AMPC — And when he was in his fortieth year, it came into his heart to visit his kinsmen the children of Israel [to help them and to care for them].
b. Even before the burning bush experience, Moses felt the call of God on his life to help and take care of God’s people.
c. Hebrews 11:24 AMPC — [Aroused] by faith Moses, when he had grown to maturity and become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
d. Exodus 2:10,15
e. Hebrews 11:25-26 AMPC — Because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life. 26 He considered the contempt and abuse and shame [borne for] the Christ (the Messiah Who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward (recompense).
f. Moses willingly stepped down from his lofty royal position and standing, to be identified and treated as a slave, together with his people.
g. Very few people choose to take such a dramatic demotion in order to help, save and rescue another.
h. But there is One Who came from the highest to the lowest, on our behalf—Jesus Christ!
i. Jesus stepped down from His mighty throne in Heaven to become one of us and to suffer and die as one of us.
j. Moses had everything anyone would want but he chose to suffer the hardships and bear the shame of the people of God—because he saw his Heavenly reward as having a greater value than earthly things.
k. Just as Jesus endured the Cross and despised the shame—because He saw you and me (Heb. 12:2).
l. We are Jesus’ joy and His fruit—and the reward of His sacrifice!
3. Moses’ First Rejection.
a. Acts 7:24 AMPC — And on seeing one of them being unjustly treated, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian and slaying [him].
b. Even though the call of God is on your life, and even though you may carry a powerful anointing, you cannot fulfill the plan of God by stepping out prematurely, nor by moving or operating in the flesh.
c. James 1:20 KJV — For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
d. Acts 7:25 AMPC — He expected his brethren to understand that God was granting them deliverance by his hand [taking it for granted that they would accept him]; but they did not understand.
e. He clearly felt the call of God on his life, but no one else saw it; neither did they believe it.
f. Acts 7:26-28 AMPC — Then on the next day he suddenly appeared to some who were quarreling and fighting among themselves, and he urged them to make peace and become reconciled, saying, Men, you are brethren; why do you abuse and wrong one another? 27 Whereupon the man who was abusing his neighbor pushed [Moses] aside, saying, Who appointed you a ruler (umpire) and a judge over us? 28 Do you intend to slay me as you slew the Egyptian yesterday?
g. When you step out to obey God, you may also hear the “Who do you think you are?” question.
h. But it doesn’t matter who you are—it only matters Who He is!
i. Jesus warned: “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).
j. People are not always appreciative of, or thankful for, the one sent to save them.
k. Through the ages, the Israelites’ rejected the Lord and mistreated His messengers.
l. Moses was rejected by his brethren, and Pharaoh wanted to kill him.
m. Acts 7:29 AMPC — At that reply Moses sought safety by flight and he was an exile and an alien in the country of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
n. Exodus 2:11-15,22; 18:3,4