How does Acts 7:27 illustrate resistance to God's chosen leaders? The Setting in Stephen’s Sermon – Acts 7 records Stephen retelling Israel’s history before the Sanhedrin. – Verse 27 recalls Exodus 2, when Moses tried to reconcile two Hebrews: “But the man who was mistreating his neighbor pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?’” (Acts 7:27). – Moses had already sensed God’s call (Exodus 2:11–12); Stephen identifies him as “sent by God as both ruler and redeemer” (Acts 7:35). Yet his first attempt to help is met with hostility. What the Resistance Looked Like • Physical rejection: “pushed Moses aside” – a literal shove that mirrored a spiritual refusal. • Verbal disdain: “Who made you ruler and judge…?” – denying the legitimacy of God’s appointment. • Public example: the confrontation happened in front of other Hebrews, spreading skepticism. • Immediate fallout: Moses fled (Exodus 2:15), delaying Israel’s deliverance by forty years. Patterns of Rebellion in Scripture • Earlier echo – Exodus 2:14: the same words of rejection appear in the original account. • Korah’s rebellion – Numbers 16:3; fellow Levites challenged Moses and Aaron, “Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?” • Israel demands a king – 1 Samuel 8:7; God tells Samuel, “it is not you they have rejected, but Me.” • Parable fulfillment – Luke 19:14; citizens say, “We do not want this man to rule over us.” • Ultimate rejection – Acts 4:11; Jesus, “the stone you builders rejected.” Moses prefigures Christ; Israel’s dismissal of Moses foreshadows the nation’s refusal of their Messiah. Spiritual Roots of the Resistance – Pride: unwillingness to submit to divinely appointed authority. – Short-sightedness: judging leadership by outward appearance (Moses was a fugitive; Jesus a humble carpenter). – Sin nature: Romans 8:7, “the mind of the flesh is hostile to God.” – Influence of past bondage: centuries in Egypt conditioned Israel to distrust deliverers. Lessons for Today • God often raises leaders before the need seems obvious; early resistance does not nullify their calling. • Dismissing God’s messengers equals resisting God Himself (Luke 10:16). • Spiritual discernment is required: test motives by Scripture, not by personal preference. • Humble submission to legitimate, scripturally grounded leadership keeps believers aligned with God’s redemptive plan. |
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