What is the meaning of Acts 13:20? All this took about 450 years Acts 13:17-19 has just traced Israel’s story from the patriarchs through the Exodus, the wilderness, and the conquest of Canaan. Paul then says, “All this took about 450 years.” The span covers: • About 400 years in Egypt (Genesis 15:13; Exodus 12:40-41) • 40 years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33-34; Acts 7:36) • Roughly 10 years for the conquest and allotment of the land (Joshua 14:7-15; 19:51) That total—about 450 years—highlights God’s patient, covenant-keeping faithfulness across centuries. He never forgot His promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and, at exactly the right time, delivered and settled His people. After this, God gave them judges Verse 20 continues: “After this, God gave them judges.” The Lord Himself appointed these leaders (Judges 2:16-18), raising them up whenever Israel needed deliverance. Key truths: • Judges were instruments of God’s mercy, rescuing Israel from oppression (Judges 3:9, 15; 6:14). • Their appearance followed Israel’s repeated cycle of sin, discipline, repentance, and restoration (Judges 2:11-19). • Through every cycle, “the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning” (Judges 2:18), underscoring His steadfast love. Paul’s point is that God’s guidance didn’t stop once the land was secured; He continued to shepherd the nation through Spirit-empowered deliverers (Hebrews 11:32-34). Until the time of Samuel the prophet The judges ruled “until the time of Samuel the prophet.” Samuel stands at a turning point: • Last judge (1 Samuel 7:15) • Faithful prophet who spoke for God (1 Samuel 3:19-20) • Priest who interceded for Israel (1 Samuel 7:9) Under Samuel, Israel moved from tribal rule to monarchy. He anointed Saul (1 Samuel 10:1) and, crucially for Paul’s sermon, David (1 Samuel 16:13). By mentioning Samuel, Paul is steering his listeners toward the Davidic line that culminates in Jesus the Messiah (Acts 13:22-23). summary Acts 13:20 compresses almost half a millennium into one sentence to showcase God’s unbroken faithfulness: He formed a people, freed them, settled them, and shepherded them through judges up to Samuel—setting the stage for King David and, ultimately, King Jesus. The verse reminds us that God’s promises are sure, His timing perfect, and His leadership trustworthy from generation to generation. |
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