WELCOME
PRAYER
WORD SET TO MUSIC
PRAYER
Acts 7.35-37
May 8th 2016
Milk
Okay last week we read as Stephan introduced us to his telling of the story of Moses.
And we left off with God telling Moses in verse 34 “to take off the shoes of his feet for he stood on holy ground” and that He had heard the groaning of the COI and that He was now going to send Moses into Egypt because God was now going to liberate them.
We come to a point in Acts 7 (verse 35) where Stephan says:
35 This Moses whom they (the COI in Egypt) refused, saying, “Who made thee a ruler and a judge?” the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
36 He brought them (the COI) out (of Egypt), after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, “A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.”
Alright, in verse 34 Stephen rehearses that God said to Moses:
Acts 7:34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee (Moses) into Egypt.
(Then in verse 35 Stephan says . . . )
35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, “Who made thee a ruler and a judge?” the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
Stephan has been accused of changing the law of Moses and blaspheming what Moses established and so he is proving that he is not only familiar with the story of Moses he sees and reads it clearly and within the context of the rebellious hearts the forefathers of that Nation had toward him.
This is that Moses whom they (their forefathers) refused, saying, “Who made thee a ruler and a judge?” the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
Now, notice the language that Stephan uses to describe Moses – “God did send (him) to be a ruler and a deliverer . . . by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
The Greek terms for ruler and deliverer are “ARCHON” and “LUTROTACE.”
Powerful and significant terms.
Two weeks ago I listed the many ways that Joseph pictured the Lord Jesus Christ. I am going to do the same with Moses in a few minutes but this is one of the most impressive.
The nation of Israel was in bondage to Egypt. And God sent unto them an ARCHON (which means the first, (in rank or power) a chief ruler, a magistrate, a prince, and a ruler.
It is derived from the Greek word “Archo” which means to be the first, primary.
To the Nation of Israel Moses was the archo – a type of Christ Jesus who is the first (and the last) the primary ruler, the Prince of Peace.
I am a Christian “An (archoist)” in that Christ is the first in all that I am and there is no other – none – that can take His place. He is my ruler, not man, not religion, not laws written in stone.
Well prior to Christ being the Archo of the world Moses was the type for the Nation of Israel. He was their ruler, which is why resistance to what He established was so strong when Jesus came to fulfill all Moses had done.
And its why Stephan is about to be stoned – those who held the rocks in their hands were not ready to replace Moses with Jesus.
Then Stephan calls Moses a Lutrotace, which in the King James is translated, deliverer and is derived from the Greek word “loo-tro-o”which means “to ransom or to redeem.”
Here Lutrotace can mean a redeemer, a savior, a delivered – which God sent Moses to be to the COI – and of course His Only Begotten Son – to be to the world.
In one of my most favorite passages from Isaiah (61:1) we read these prophetic words regarding Jesus – which were words Jesus Himself read and assigned Himself, saying:
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”
Isn’t this the most beautiful description of what God wanted His Son to do?
He anointed Him to
Preach good tidings unto the meek.
To bind up the brokenhearted
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And to open the prison to them that are bound.
I gotta tell you, soapbox that this is to me admittedly, this work that God sent His Son to do was serious business.
He could have sent someone who healed everyone physically – but He didn’t.
He could have fed every hungry mouth – but He didn’t.
He could have given every person physical emancipation from the chains of slavery – but He didn’t.
But by golly He did come and offer complete and total liberation from all captors of the human soul. He did come and He did
Preach good tidings (not bad tidings – GOOD!) unto the meek.
He did and continues to “bind up the brokenhearted”
He did and continues to proclaim “liberty to the captives,”
And he flung open “the prison to them that are bound.”
And ANYTHING or ANYONE that EVER tried to preach bad tidings, or tries to open wounds in the brokenhearted, or tried to restrict the liberty of the captives, to attempts to shut the prison doors on people again – who tries to make themselves the ARCHON in our lives – anything – gently, kindly but directly REFUSE!
One final note – Stephan explains by what means Moses was a ruler and how he delivered the Nation out of Bondage when he adds:
the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer “by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.”
I am not going to go into all the passages that help us understand what is meant by the Angel which appeared to Him in the bush but contextually I believe this was the Word of God that was made flesh prior to being flesh.
I’ll leave it at that. But the point is that Moses, the ruler and deliverer, was lead (from heaven) just as Jesus was when He delivered the world from Sin.
It was not the Son of Man Jesus that delivered us. It was the Son of God Jesus.
(verse 36)
36 He (Moses) brought them (the COI) out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
This passage covers a LOT of ground because Stephen mentions:
Wonder and signs “IN THE land of Egypt,” speaking specifically to ten plagues and the rod turning into a snake, etc.
And “in the Red Sea,”speaking to its parting, their crossing, and the armies drowning, and
“in the wilderness forty years,” which is speaking to everything from manna from heaven and quails, being lead by a cloud in the day and a pillar of fire by night, water from a rock, brass serpents, etc. etc.
In the end all of these wonders and signs were purposeful and related to the time or pictured the coming Messiah.
When we study the Book of Exodus we’ll cover them extensively.
Stephan continues and says:
37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
And here we see Stephen alluding to Jesus, who, from defending and preaching got him into the trouble that he was in.
It’s a remarkably smart approach that he uses. He teaches and affirms all the known things about Joseph and Moses and then let’s these stories lead right into the fact that Moses testified of the Lord himself.
It is entirely probable that the eyes of some of those who were listening to Stephen were opened from this approach.
I mean when you really understand the history of the Nation of Israel and then you are confronted with its facts and the historical facts of their chief characters – Joseph, Moses, David etc – Jesus can’t help but shine in – and the heart is enlightened.
Let’s wrap today up by showing how the life and times of Moses were a perfect foreshadowing of the Lord and Savior.
They are remarkable with Joseph. They are just as impressive with Moses.
All the things I say can be supported by biblical verses which I am not going to include for time’s sake.
But anything I claim about Moses or Jesus is taken from scripture. So here goes:
Moses was (a Jew) who was born in an age when the Egyptians (gentiles – non Jews) ruled the people of Israel (EX.1:8-10)
Jesus was a Jew who was born when Romans (gentiles) ruled the people of Israel. (Luke 2:1-5)
2. Pharaoh, an evil ruler, decreed that all male Hebrew babies should be killed by
casting them into the river. (Ex 1:23)
Herod, an evil ruler, decreed that all male Hebrew babies should be put to death
(Mt. 2:16)
3. Moses was hidden in Egypt to keep him alive. (Ex 2:2)
Jesus was also hidden in Egypt to keep him alive. (Mt. 2:13)
4. Scripture chooses to tell us that Moses’ mother put him in the river in a BASKET (Ex.2:3)
Scripture chooses to tell us that Jesus’ mother put him in a MANGER (feeding trough) (Lk. 2:7)
5. The favor of God was upon Moses, even as an infant. He became a prince of Egypt. (Ex 2:5)
The favor of God was upon Jesus too and wise men came and presented gifts to Him as if He was a prince. (Matt 2:11)
7. Moses was brought up by a man who was not his natural father. (Ex 2:9-10)
Jesus was brought up by a man who was his stepfather, Joseph. (Lk. 2:33.)
8. Moses, when grown, saw the burdens of his brethern and had compassion on them. (Ex.2:11)
Mark 6:34 tells us that Jesus saw His people as sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them.
9. Contrary to the usual custom Moses at a well, was kind to the daughters of the priest of Midian and watered their flock. (Ex.2:17)
Jesus, also at a well, was kind and talking to a Samaritan woman alone (also not the usual custom) and He offered her water (not the usual custom again). (John 4:9-11)
10.Moses was in exile in a foreign land until the Pharaoh of Egypt died. (Ex 2:23)
Jesus was in exile in a foreign land until King Herod died (Mt. 2:19-20).
11. Psalm 77:20 calls Moses “a shepherd of God’s people.”
Of course Jesus called Himself the “good shepherd” who came to lay down His life for the sheep. (Jn.10:11-16).
12. Moses began his ministry in a supernatural way – A bush burned with fire, but was not consumed, and God spoke from the midst of the bush (Ex.3:2-4.)
Jesus began His ministry in a supernatural way – A dove descended on Him and a voice from Heaven said, “This is My beloved Son,in whom I am well pleased (Mt.3:16-17)
13. God sent Moses to deliver His people because He knew their sorrows. (Ex. 3:7)
Luke 4:18 tells us that God sent Jesus to deliver His people because He knew their enslaved, brokenhearted state.
14. Exodus 3:8 has God say “I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,” through Moses and bring them to the Promised Land . . .
Jesus came down from heaven to deliver His people and to bring them up to
heaven one day (Phil.2:7-8).
15.Moses was called “very meek”
(in Num. 12:3).
Jesus is described as “meek and lowly” (Matt.11:28-30).
16. As noted here by Stephan Moses performed many public miracles following God’s direction. (Ex.4:4-9).
As did Jesus. (John 5: 19-20)
17. Exodus 9:1 tells us that the reason behind Moses’ liberation of the Hebrews was for them to serve God.
The reason behind Jesus’ liberation of mankind is for us to serve God
(Heb. 9:14,12:28).
18. Moses delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondages through Blood
Ex.12:13,23. Lambs without blemish were slain. Their blood protected Hebrew
homes from death.
Jesus delivered all mankind from the bondage of sin through Blood – His
Blood,shed on the cross as The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world. Jn. 1:29,Heb. 9:11-15.
19. Moses instructed Israel to remember the Lord’s deliverance (Ex.12:25-27) through a covenant meal (Passover).
Jesus instructed His disciples to remember His deliverance from the sin via a covenant meal (Passover, the “Lord’s Supper) (Lk.22:14-20) until He comes again.
20. Moses gave the Israelites sweet, “living water” to drink Ex. 16:25.
Jesus promised living water to all who believe in Him Jn.7:38.
21. God revealed His healing power through Moses (Ex.15:26)
Jesus the same.
22. Moses gave God’s people bread from heaven to eat (manna) (Ex.16:15)
Jesus said that He was the true bread from heaven that gives life
to the world (Jn.6:33).
23. The whole congregation of Israel murmured against Moses (Ex.15:24)
The Jews murmured at Jesus (Jn.6:41.)
24. Moses told the people to gather manna every morning- daily bread (Ex.16:20-21).
Jesus taught His disciples to feed their souls with spiritual bread when he said, “Give us this day our daily bread.”
(Matt 6 :11)
25. People were ready to stone Moses ( Ex. 17:4.)
People were ready to stone Jesus (Jn. 10:31.)
26. Moses received God’s Law on a mountain and told the people what God expected of them (Ex19:3).
Jesus set the law back in its proper place in the Sermon on The Mount.
27. God came to Moses in a thick cloud (Ex. 19:9, 24:16).
God came to Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration in a thick cloud (Mk.9:7).
28. Moses sprinkled the blood of the first covenant on the people (Ex.24:8).
Jesus sanctified the people with His own blood, the blood of the New Covenant
(Heb.13:12)
29. God gave Moses commandments to teach His people (Ex. 24:12)
God gave Jesus commandments to teach His people (Jn.13:34) A new commandment – to love.
30. Moses interceded with God for Israel when he was angry with His people
Ex.32:11-14.
Jesus interceded with God on behalf of sinful man; as Isaiah 53 says that He “made intercession for the transgressors” and Matthew 20:28 says that He became the final sacrifice for sin.
31. God spoke with Moses face to face Ex.33:11, Num.12:8 (Face to Face is a Hebrew idiom which means mouth to mouth.)
Jesus had an intimate “face to face” relationship with God, His Father (Jn.14:31.)
32. Moses fasted for 40 days and 40 nights when he received the Torah (the
instructions and directions of how to live) (Ex.34:28.)
Of course Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights when He was tempted in the wilderness and prior to entering full time ministry (Mt.4:1-2)
33. Exodus 34:29 says that Moses’ face shone with the glory of God.
Jesus’ face shone with the glory of God (Mt. 17:1-12.)
34. God told Moses how He wanted to be worshipped – the Tabernacle (mishkan) (Ex.40)
God told Jesus how He wanted to be worshipped – “spirit and in truth”
(Jn:4:23-24).
35. Moses, a prophet, was a mouthpiece for God. He spoke the words God gave him (Ex.19:7-8).
Jesus, as a prophet spoke the words that God gave Him (Jn.8:28-29).
36. Moses commanded the children of Israel to keep their lamps burning (Lev. 24:2).
Jesus commanded His children to put their light on a lampstand and let shine it
before men (Mt.5:15-16).
37. Moses fed the children of Israel (a multitude) in a supernatural way (Ex. 16:15.)
Jesus fed a multitude (5000) with five loaves and two fishes (Mt. 14:19-21)
39. Moses beseeched God to pardon the iniquity of His people (Num. 14:19.)
Jesus, on the cross, beseeched God to forgive the iniquity of those who were
crucifying Him (Lk. 23-34.)
41. Moses said that the “little ones” in the wilderness would enter the Promised
Land (Num.14:31)
Jesus said that the Kingdom of God belonged to the “little ones” (Mk. 10:14)
42. Moses told the Israelites to remember and do all the commandments of the Lord (Num. 15:38-39)
Jesus told His disciples to keep His commandments if they would abide in His love. (Jn. 15:10)
43. Moses told the Israelites that God would show that He had sent Moses by doing signs and wonders (Num. 16:28)
Jesus told His disciples that the works He did were to prove that the Father
was in Him and He was in the Father (Jn. 14:10-11)
44. Moses made a fiery serpent on a pole and the Israelites were healed when they
looked upon it (Num. 21:9)
Jesus was lifted up on a pole. All who looked upon Him by faith (as He took
their sin) were healed. (Jn. 3:14-15)
45. Moses chose 12 men, 1 from each tribe and sent them out (to scout) to bring
FRUIT (Deut. 1:23)
Jesus chose 12 men and sent them out to bear fruit (Mt. 10:1)
46. Moses said that in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses a truth would be established
(Deut. 19:15)
Jesus said that where 2 or 3 were gathered in His name, He would be in their midst (Mt. 18:20)
47. Moses’ relatives criticized and challenged him (Num. 12: 1-2)
Jesus’ relatives criticized and challenged Him (Jn. 7:5, Mt. 13:57)
48. Moses was Israel’s judge, the final authority in decision-making (Ex. 18-22)
Jesus will return to earth as a judge. All must appear before the “judgment
seat of Christ” (II Cor.5:10) and Jesus will judge all at His appearing (II Tim.4-1)
49. Moses reappeared after his death (on the Mt. of Transfiguration) (Mt. 17:3)
Jesus reappeared after His resurrection from the dead (seen by many for
the next 40 days) (Acts 1:3)
50. Moses as deliverer was rejected by his people and then took on a gentile bride named Zipporah (Ex. 2:11-14, 16-21)
Jesus was rejected by His people and has now taken on a gentile bride (us)
51. Moses was told to strike a rock and it would bring forth living waters.
Jesus was stricken and brought for true living water.
52. Moses was then told to just speak to the rock and it would bring forth water.
Today, Jesus does not need to be struck ever again, all we need to do is speak to Him.
In Battle the COI were victorious when they looked to Moses with outstretched arms.
Believers today, because Christ outstretched His arms, are able to overcome this world.
And in all of this I haven’t even mentioned all the symbolism of the Holy Days, the Rituals, the Temple, and the Sacrifices and Offerings, and other elements of the Law which were all introduced by Moses to the COI.
Let’s stop there and continue next week!
Q and A?
Ministry Audition Announcement at CAMPUS (Announce Sunday May 1st Sunday May 8th that the auditions will be held on Saturday May 13th from 11:30 am to 2pm.
