Acts 7:2-17 -God's not confined

In response to the high priest's question, Stephen gave a long discussion beginning with the journey of faith of Abraham. He showed that he was well acquainted with God's Word.

It was the God of glory Who called Abraham out of the Ur of Chaldee, and promised to bring his people to a place where they could worship Him. However, God revealed that Abraham's children would be in a foreign land and in bondage for 400 years.

And God would bring them out of bondage to a place where they would serve Him. It was God Who gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and he became the father of Isaac whom he circumcised on the eighth day. Isaac then became the father of Jacob who fathered 12 sons.

Out of jealousy, Joseph, Jacob's favorite son was  sold into Egypt by his brothers. But God rescued him from all his afflictions and granted him favor and wisdom in Pharaoh's sight. So Joseph became his right hand man to govern the whole of Egypt.

When a  famine came over the land and food could only be found in Egypt, Jacob sent his sons to buy grain there. On their second visit, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. And he also invited his father and family to join him in Egypt. A total of 75 of his family came and sojourned in Eqypt.

With the passage of time Jacob and his sons died. Shechem, which Abraham bought, was the only plot of land his children had at that time. However, we can see that the scheme of Jacob's sons only served to further God's plan.

Judaism as a system of belief had three pillars - the land, the law and the temple. Stephen in his discourse and defence would seek to debunk these sacred cows of Judaism with the teachings of Christ,.  

Stephen brought Abraham, Jacob and Joseph into his discourse to show that God's activity was not just confined to the geographical land of Israel. God spoke and blessed Abraham in Mesopotamia and Haran. He blessed Joseph in Egypt. And more of His activities outside of the land would be seen in Moses' journey.

Psalm 24 reminds us that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. He is everywhere present. His activities can still be experienced today no matter where we may be. God is not limited by time, space or distance. No wonder David said, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?" (Psalm 139:7).

Wherever we may be, remember to pause regularly to experience and connect with the Lord. He wants to guide us and direct us in the journey of life to accomplish His purpose.