How does Acts 7:36 connect to the Exodus story in the Old Testament? Overview of Acts 7:36 “He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.” (Acts 7:36) Tracing Stephen’s Three-Part Outline to Exodus • In the land of Egypt – Exodus 7 – 12 records ten dramatic plagues: water to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn. – Each plague was a “wonder and sign” (Exodus 7:3) exposing Egypt’s gods and vindicating the LORD’s supremacy. – Moses’ staff, serpent sign, and leprous hand (Exodus 4:2-8) previewed these miracles and verified his divine call. • At the Red Sea – Exodus 14:21-22: “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry ground; so the waters were divided.” – Psalm 106:9 calls this a rebuke of the sea; it obeyed as readily as any earthly creature. – The miracle sealed Israel’s liberation and destroyed Egypt’s military power (Exodus 14:27-31). • For forty years in the wilderness – Daily manna (Exodus 16:4-35), quail (Numbers 11:31-32), water from the rock (Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11), and shoes that did not wear out (Deuteronomy 29:5) displayed constant providence. – Numbers 21:8-9 adds the bronze serpent, another sign through which God healed the people. – Stephen compresses the entire period into a single phrase, underscoring continuous, sustaining miracles. Why Stephen Recounts These Events • To remind the council of God’s proven pattern: He authenticates His chosen deliverer by mighty deeds (Exodus 3:12; Deuteronomy 34:10-12). • To show that rejecting God’s messenger—Moses then, Jesus now—brings judgment, while believing brings rescue (Acts 7:37-39; John 5:45-47). • To display the constancy of God’s redemptive plan; the same Lord who parted the sea has now raised His Son (Acts 2:32). Key Parallels Between Moses and Jesus • Both were preserved from infant genocide (Exodus 1:15-17; Matthew 2:13-16). • Both left royal privilege to identify with suffering people (Hebrews 11:24-26; Philippians 2:6-8). • Both authenticated their mission with signs and wonders (Acts 2:22; John 6:14, echoing manna). • Both mediated a covenant sealed in blood—Passover for Moses (Exodus 12:13-14) and the cross for Jesus (Luke 22:20). Takeaway Connections • Acts 7:36 is a Spirit-inspired, one-sentence summary of Exodus 1-Numbers 36. • Every phrase in the verse—Egypt, Red Sea, wilderness—anchors Stephen’s sermon in historical, literal events recorded by Moses. • Recognizing these links deepens confidence that the God who saved Israel through mighty acts saves today through the finished work of Christ. |
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