Yes, Acts 7 provides several new details about Moses, including his age at key events, his Egyptian education, and a three-part division of his life.
Acts 7 reveals that Moses was 'exceeding fair' (verse 20) and 'learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians' (verse 22). It also specifies he was forty years old when he visited his brethren (verse 23) and indicates his life is divided into three 40-year periods (verse 23, 29, 36). Les Feldick emphasizes that these details are not found in the Genesis account.
Acts 7:20-23 — These verses directly provide new information about Moses' birth, upbringing, and age.
Acts 7, part of Stephen's sermon, recounts the history of Israel and adds details about Moses not found in the Genesis narrative. Verse 20 states that Moses was 'exceeding fair' at birth, and verse 22 notes he was 'learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians' and 'mighty in words and in deeds.' Verse 23 reveals that 'when he was full forty years old' he visited his brethren, the children of Israel. This verse also mentions that he supposed his brethren would understand that God was delivering them by his hand (verse 25). Furthermore, Acts 7:29-30 implies a second 40-year period in Midian, and verse 36 begins the third 40-year period of leading Israel, though the exact ages are inferred from the context.
Les Feldick points out that Acts 7 fills in gaps left by Exodus. He explains that 'exceeding fair' (Acts 7:20) goes beyond physical beauty, indicating a special child in God's line, as seen when he notes the parents acted by faith (Clip 1, Clip 6). He highlights that Moses was 'learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians' (Acts 7:22), which came from idolatrous priests (Clip 5). Les also emphasizes the three 40-year segments of Moses' life—40 years in Pharaoh's palace, 40 years in the desert, and 40 years leading Israel—based on Acts 7 (Clip 4). Additionally, he notes that Moses at age 40 'supposed' his brethren would understand his deliverance, showing his premature assumption (Clip 7).
Les Feldick teaches that 'exceeding fair' in Acts 7:20 means more than just an attractive baby; it indicates a child special in God's service, as the parents saw by faith that he was not merely pretty but someone God would use (Clip 6). He connects this to Hebrews 11:23, where they hid him because they saw he was a 'proper child' (Clip 3).
Les Feldick explains that Moses was 'learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians' (Acts 7:22) through the idolatrous mythological priests of Egypt, saturating him with idolatrous doctrines (Clip 5). He also notes that after weaning at about five years old, Moses went to Pharaoh's palace, receiving this education (Clip 2).
Les Feldick states that Acts 7 breaks down Moses' life into three 40-year segments: the first 40 years in Pharaoh's palace, the second 40 years on the backside of the desert herding sheep, and the third 40 years leading Israel (Clip 4). This division is not found in Exodus but is derived from Acts 7:23, 29, and the later narrative of the exodus.
Why Israel Rejected Moses — And Then Rejected Christ
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Moses' Birth and Age
Les uses Acts 7 to show that Moses was born during a time of persecution and was 'exceeding fair,' which sets up his special role.
Moses' Upbringing
Les explains Moses' education and that he likely spent five years with his mother before entering Pharaoh's palace.
Faith of Moses' Parents
Les connects Acts 7 with Hebrews 11 to show that Moses' parents acted by faith because they saw he was a special child.
Three 40-Year Segments
Les highlights that Acts 7 reveals Moses' life in three 40-year periods, a detail not in Exodus.
Moses' Egyptian Education
Les teaches that Moses' education came from idolatrous priests, as revealed in Acts 7:22.
Exceeding Fair - Special Child
Les explains that 'goodly' in Exodus and 'exceeding fair' in Acts indicate Moses was special in God's plan, not just physically attractive.
Moses' Age 40 and His Supposition
Les emphasizes that Acts 7 says Moses was 40 when he visited his brethren and that he 'supposed' they would understand God was delivering by his hand.
Acts 7:20: In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:
Shows Moses' birth and description not found in Genesis.
Acts 7:22: And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
Reveals Moses' Egyptian education.
Acts 7:23: And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
Specifies Moses' age at his first intervention.
Yes, Acts 7:23 specifically says 'when he was full forty years old,' which is not mentioned in the Exodus account. This detail is unique to Stephen's speech.
Les Feldick teaches that it means Moses was a special child in God's line, not just physically attractive. It indicates that God had a purpose for him, which his parents recognized by faith.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Rejected Moses — And Then Rejected Christ