What is the meaning of Acts 7:35? this Moses Stephen points us back to the real, historical man God preserved from infancy (Exodus 2:1-10) and educated in Pharaoh’s court (Acts 7:22). Moses was: • Chosen by God from birth—“the child was beautiful in the sight of God” (Acts 7:20). • A foreshadowing of Christ—both were spared from an evil ruler’s decree (Exodus 1:22; Matthew 2:16). • Honored by God as “faithful in all My house” (Numbers 12:7). Remember, Stephen is reminding the Sanhedrin that God’s hand was on Moses long before Israel recognized it. whom they had rejected Israel’s first reaction to Moses was dismissal, not gratitude. Exodus 2:13-14 records the confrontation with the two Hebrews who “were fighting,” and one retorted, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?” Rejection of God’s chosen leaders would later reappear: • Joseph’s brothers sold him (Acts 7:9). • The nation ultimately rejected Christ (John 1:11). The pattern underscores the human heart’s resistance to God’s deliverers. with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ The question dripped with sarcasm and unbelief. Yet the very titles they mocked—ruler and judge—were God’s plan for Moses (Exodus 3:10-15). Similar scorn met Jesus: “We do not want this man to rule over us” (Luke 19:14). God often allows earthly contempt to spotlight His sovereign choice. is the one whom God sent God overruled human rejection. “I have come down to rescue them… so now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh” (Exodus 3:8-10). • Divine commission outweighs human opinion (Galatians 1:1). • God vindicates His servants in His timing (Psalm 135:14). Stephen reassures his hearers that God, not public approval, establishes authority. to be their ruler and redeemer Moses became both political leader and spiritual deliverer: • Ruler—he led Israel out, gave the Law (Exodus 18:20). • Redeemer—God used him to break Egypt’s chains: “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm” (Exodus 6:6). This dual role prefigures Jesus, “the Apostle and High Priest of our confession” (Hebrews 3:1), who saves and shepherds His people (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:5-6). through the angel who appeared to him in the bush Moses’ authority was rooted in a direct, supernatural encounter: “The Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush” (Exodus 3:2). That Angel speaks as God Himself (Exodus 3:6). • The holy ground moment validated Moses’ mission (Acts 7:30-33). • Divine revelation equips human messengers (Judges 6:11-14). Stephen reminds the council that rejecting Moses—and by extension Jesus—means resisting the God who spoke from the fire. summary Acts 7:35 shows God overturning human rejection to install His chosen deliverer. The Israelites scoffed, “Who made you ruler and judge?” yet God emphatically answered, “I did.” Moses, empowered by the burning-bush revelation, became both leader and redeemer—a prophetic picture fulfilled perfectly in Christ. The verse calls us to recognize and submit to God’s appointed Savior, trusting His sovereign plan even when it runs counter to popular opinion. |
    |