God's Hand, Not Mine

Today’s reading is Acts 7.

Over the last two days, we’ve noticed Stephen’s not so subtle messages about not focusing on holy men and holy places, but on the God who made them holy. In both of those streams of thought, Stephen brings together an interesting contrast. In his look at Moses, in Acts 7:25, he explains that at one time Moses had supposed the folks would know God was delivering the people by Moses’s hand. Of course, we know that didn’t happen. Then in Acts 7:35, we see this Moses was sent as redeemer and ruler by the hand of the angel (that is, of the Lord) to lead the people out of Egypt. Granted, the play on the word “hand” is not in the original Hebrew, however the meaning is. I appreciate the ESV bringing it out. Israel wasn’t led out of bondage by the hand of Moses, but by the hand of the Lord. In Stephen’s look at the temple, in Acts 7:48, Stephen highlights that the temple was made by men’s hands. This was a jab against the Jews because it hearkened back to their time worshiping the golden calf which was the work of their own hands (Acts 7:41). The Jews were actually doing the same thing with the temple they had done with the calf. They had made the temple into an idol. Then Stephen quotes Isaiah 66:1-2, in which God explains His hands had created the entire world. That is, God can treat any place He wants as Holy. In both streams of thought, Stephen makes a contrast–our hands vs. God’s. And in both streams, he highlights a struggle I have. I can get fixated on what my hands can accomplish. I can start to think that what my hands have built, what my hands have forged, what my hands have constructed, what my hands have done is really, really important. Not so. God’s hands are the power. God’s Kingdom, Christ’s Body, the Spirit’s Temple will not be built by my hands, but by God’s. I may be an instrument He uses. I hope and pray so. The power is not in my hands, but God’s. Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Acts 7.

A Word for Our Kids

Hey kids, let’s back up a second and recognize what is going on in Stephen’s sermon. This is a place where Bible study needs to dig a little deeper. On one level, this sermon is merely a recounting of Israel’s history. It is a good recounting. On that surface level, we might read through it and see simply a reminder of all God had done. In fact, that is exactly how I read it for years and years and years. And if that is all you have seen in it so far, don’t worry. That is a great lesson and a great approach. However, if you have been also following what I’ve shared with your parents this week, you realize there are some significant undercurrents in this sermon. Stephen has crafted his recounting of history to speak of the men God used and the places God met them. He is bringing these particular stories together to respond to the accusations leveled against him for supposedly speaking against Moses and the temple. As I read this sermon again and again and again, I start to see deeper levels. I see Stephen’s point about men, places, and God. It may take me years of study and reading to get to that level. That’s okay. But here is my point for you. It will take years of study and reading to get to those levels. It takes reading it over and over and over again. It takes talking to other people. It takes reading it some more. With that in mind, I’m so glad you are reading with us right now. Because this is a great place and a great time to start all that Bible reading. Don’t ever quit.

PODCAST!!!

Listen to the podcast episode that goes along with this post by clicking here.