How does Acts 7 use Israel's history to show God preparing the nation for the Messiah?
Acts 7 reviews Israel’s history from Abraham onward, showing God progressively unfolding His revelation and preparing the nation for its coming King, Messiah, and Redeemer. It traces Abraham’s call from the Chaldeans, his dwelling in Haran and Canaan, and the foretold four-hundred-year Egyptian bondage and judgment, demonstrating divine preparation.
Les explains that he does not take all of Acts 7 verse by verse because it is a beautiful review of Israel’s history. Beginning with Abraham, Stephen keeps building and building, just as Les has done while teaching through the Old Testament, showing how God was constantly unfolding and revealing, preparing the nation for the coming of their King, Messiah, and Redeemer. Stephen starts with Abraham’s call out of the land of the Chaldeans in verse 4, his dwelling in Haran, and his move into Canaan. Then in verse 6 he cites God’s word that Abraham’s seed or offspring would sojourn in a strange land, be brought into bondage, and be treated evil four hundred years—speaking of Egypt. God promised to judge that nation, and afterward they would come forth and serve Him in this place. Les notes this was all back in Genesis 15, and then he begins to go back to Genesis 26 and 46.