Rejected Deliverers, Faithful God

Acts 7:35–41 (NASB95) 

35“This Moses whom they disowned, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. 36“This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37“This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren.’ 38“This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you. 39“Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us; for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt—we do not know what happened to him.’ 41“At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 

In Acts 7:35–41, Stephen confronts Israel’s history of resisting God’s chosen leaders. Moses, though initially rejected, was vindicated as Israel’s deliverer through miraculous signs and mediation of God’s “living oracles” Yet the people clung to Egyptian idolatry, demanding Aaron make a golden calf. This pattern of unbelief foreshadowed Israel’s rejection of Jesus, the ultimate “Prophet like Moses”. Stephen’s repeated use of “this Moses” mirrors Luke’s earlier “this Jesus” (Acts 2:32), tying Moses’ story to the Gospel’s central claim: the Messiah, too, was rejected by those He came to save. 

Moses’ miracles in Egypt and the wilderness mirrored Jesus’ works and the apostles’ ministries. Yet signs alone could not soften hearts hardened by rebellion. Israel’s demand for exposed their spiritual slavery to pagan patterns, despite witnessing God’s power. Stephen stresses that rejecting God’s Word—whether through Moses or Christ—invites judgment. 

Quoting Deuteronomy 18:15, Stephen presents Jesus as the promised deliverer who fulfills Moses’ typological role. Like Moses, Jesus was misunderstood, opposed, and ultimately vindicated by God. Yet Jesus transcends Moses: He is not merely a mediator of the law but the fulfillment of it (Matt 5:17), bringing salvation to all who believe. 

I think there are a few lessons here.  

Israel’s rejection of Moses and Jesus warns against dismissing God’s work in unexpected people or ways. Always test teachings against Scripture, but avoid resisting the Spirit’s movement. 

Just as Israel preferred Egyptian gods, we risk clinging to modern “idols”—wealth, comfort, or tradition. Guard your hearts against anything displacing Christ’s lordship and direction. 

Moses’ story points to Jesus, the true Redeemer. In a world longing for liberation, boldly testify that salvation is found in “this Jesus” alone. 

Blessings, 

 
Ryan Goodnight