Moses as a Foreshadowing of Christ
Acts 7:22–25 (NASB95)
22“Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. 23“But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24“And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25“And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand.
In these verses, Stephen underscores Moses’ formative years in Pharaoh’s court where he was educated in “all the wisdom of the Egyptians” and became “powerful in words and deeds.” This education positioned Moses as a bridge between Hebrew and Gentile worlds, prefiguring the Gospel’s eventual expansion beyond ethnic Israel. The phrase “powerful in words and deeds” mirrors Luke’s depiction of Jesus (Luke 24:19), reinforcing Moses as a prophetic precursor to Christ. Just as Moses’ Egyptian upbringing equipped him to confront Pharaoh, Jesus’ incarnation allowed Him to engage humanity’s spiritual captivity (Phil 2:6–8).
Moses’ fervent defense of an enslaved Israelite highlights his passion for justice, yet his people rejected his leadership: “They did not understand that God was giving them deliverance through him” (7:25). This parallels Jesus’ rejection by His own people (John 1:11) and foreshadows Stephen’s own impending martyrdom. Stephen presents the incident with Moses as an act of faith—a conscious decision to align Moses’ story with the pattern of divinely appointed yet misunderstood deliverers.
While violent, the killing of the Egyptian initiates Moses’ journey toward his ultimate calling at the burning bush. Similarly, Christ’s crucifixion—a human act of injustice—became the means of salvation. Stephen’s account highlights God’s ability to use flawed human choices to advance His redemptive plan, a theme central to Luke’s Gospel.
What application can we find in our modern times? Here are three that I will share:
Engage diverse cultures with wisdom, seeing every background as a tool for Gospel witness (1 Cor 9:22).
Like Moses, believers may face rejection when advocating for true biblical justice. Trust God’s sovereignty even when motives are misjudged, and continue pursuing reconciliation (1 Pet 2:20–23).
Moses’ premature act highlights the tension between zeal and patience. Seek discernment to act justly and wait faithfully, knowing God’s plans unfold in His perfect timing (Hab 2:3).
Moses’ story reminds us that rejection does not negate divine purpose. Cling to Christ, the ultimate Deliverer, who transforms human failure into eternal victory.
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight