What is Stephen rehearsing in Acts 7?
Stephen is rehearsing all of Israel's history in Acts chapter 7, coming up from Abraham and continuing down all the way to the slavery in Egypt. This historical review traces the nation's story from its patriarch Abraham to its bondage in Egypt.
Les explains that in Acts chapter 7, Stephen is rehearsing Israel's history from Abraham down to the slavery in Egypt. He connects this rehearsal to the Second Coming, which the Old Testament alludes to allegorically or by symbol, especially in the lives of Moses and Joseph. Acts chapter 7 is where this connection is most clearly seen. Stephen's historical review provides the backdrop for that theme.
Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.