How did God demonstrate His power through Moses in Acts 7:36? Setting the Scene within Stephen’s Sermon Acts 7 records Stephen’s sweeping review of Israel’s history before the Sanhedrin. Verse 36 highlights how God’s unmistakable power flowed through Moses: “‘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) Three Arenas Where God Displayed His Might • Egypt • The Red Sea • The Wilderness Wonders and Signs in Egypt God’s power shattered Pharaoh’s resistance through ten literal plagues (Exodus 7–12). – Water turned to blood (Exodus 7:20). – Frogs, gnats, flies (Exodus 8). – Disease on livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness (Exodus 9–10). – Death of the firstborn and Passover deliverance (Exodus 12). Each plague overturned an Egyptian deity and exposed human impotence before the living God (Exodus 12:12). The plagues were not symbolic parables but tangible events that forced Egypt’s king to release the Hebrews (Psalm 105:26–38). The Miracle at the Red Sea Moses, facing an uncrossable sea and an unstoppable army, obeyed God’s direct command: “‘Lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea…’” (Exodus 14:16). – God “drove the sea back with a strong east wind” (Exodus 14:21). – Israel passed through on dry ground, walls of water standing at attention (Exodus 14:22). – The sea then returned and swallowed the pursuing chariots (Exodus 14:28). This visible salvation became Israel’s national anthem of worship (Exodus 15:1–18; Psalm 106:9–12). Forty Years of Wilderness Wonders Acts 7:36 compresses four decades of daily miracles: • Sustaining bread from heaven—manna every morning except the Sabbath (Exodus 16:14–35; John 6:31). • Water from rocks at Horeb and Kadesh (Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11). • Guidance by cloud and fire, never absent (Exodus 13:21–22). • Clothes and sandals unmarred by wear (Deuteronomy 8:4; Nehemiah 9:21). • Victory over Amalek, Og, Sihon, and Midian (Exodus 17:8–16; Numbers 21; 31). Each sign confirmed that Israel’s covenant-keeping God was personally leading them to the land He promised Abraham (Genesis 15:18–21). Why God Worked Through Moses in These Ways • To authenticate Moses as His chosen deliverer (Exodus 4:5; Numbers 12:6–8). • To display supremacy over false gods (Numbers 33:4). • To reveal His steadfast love and faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:8–9). • To teach Israel—and us—that salvation is by God’s hand alone, not human strength (Exodus 14:13–14; Ephesians 2:8–9). Encouragement for Today’s Walk The Lord who parted seas and rained bread is unchanged (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). His power, proven through Moses, still sustains, guides, and rescues every believer who trusts His Word. |
    |