It is easy to fault find when considering history. The problem with this is that we were not there and we do not know why certain people did what they did, be what they did right or wrong. It is so easy to judge the past without knowing the heart of people and our judgment could be terribly wrong. This was the problem with the high priest and the Sanhedrin. They were judging Stephen for things they “said” he was doing wrong, yet he was not condemning the past, rather he was explaining its fulfilment in Jesus. We must never underestimate Stephen’s message to the high priest and those within the Sanhedrin. He is taking them through many epochs of time to show them that he is not disrespecting Moses, the Law or the Fathers of the Hebrew Faith. He started with the first Father of the Faith, Abraham and has just worked his way through Moses putting the salient points of Old Testament history before them to illustrate that they themselves are the guilty ones because their hearts were hard. They rejected God’s Rescue Plan in Jesus His son. We continue our reading:
Ac 7:45 “Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built the house for him.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me says the Lord? Or where will my resting place be? 50 Has not my hand made all these things?’
51 “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him — 53 you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”
1) God was present when they invaded and took possession of the Promised Land.
Ac 7:45 “Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them.”
The tabernacle was passed down generation after generation throughout the desert wanderings to the fathers of the nation … fathers being the religious leaders … the priests who qualified to carry the tabernacle into the Promised Land. Fathers might well include the tribal heads of each of the twelve tribes. Joshua was the leader who replaced Moses and was tasked by God to take the people into the Land of Canaan. Verse 45 is crucial because Israel had victory over all the nations. Yet why this verse is so crucial is because Israel could never have enjoyed victory the way they did without God! Remember “tabernacle” means “dwelling”. God dwelt or tabernacled with His people within the tabernacle! This is why we read that Israel took the land from the nations whom God drove out before them! God led His Church into victory in conquering Canaan and God leads His Church today into victory. Naturally you will understand that we mean God’s Invisible Church, which is His true Church … the assembly of the saved. Conquering Canaan was a dramatic operation starting with Jericho. It might be a good idea to read through the Book of Joshua to grasp the impact of the statement … they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. Today as we look at the Visible Church we might not see any great shakes. Yes, there are many imitations and many people and much money … but these things do not prove spiritual advancements and the conquering of the forces of darkness. What we want and need … and is happening even though we might not be aware of it is:
2Co 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.
Israel took Canaan through military operations. Christianity takes souls from the dark forces through the Gospel of the Lord Jesus! But like Israel did not take Canaan in their own power. God was present … so Christianity takes souls out of darkness with God’s power:
Ac 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
2) God’s presence became permanent in Jerusalem:
Ac 7:45 “It remained in the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built the house for him.”
After Moses and Joshua, David is mentioned because he is the “type” of Messiah God would send. Yes the tabernacle was captured when Saul was killed and his army conquered, but later when David became king he brought it back to Israel. However, because he had blood on his hands God instructed that David’s son Solomon built a temple … duplicating the tabernacle with the court yard, Holy Place and Holy of Holies where God would dwell. No more dismantling, carrying and erecting the tabernacle. Now God had a permanent dwelling place.
3) How permanent is permanent?
Ac 7:48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me says the Lord? Or where will my resting place be? 50 Has not my hand made all these things?’”
God’s intention was never to be “boxed” up in a house because symbolically this means He is only able to be in one place. This is the same reason Jesus did not remain on earth in His resurrected form. He returned to heaven and sent us His Holy Spirit, who being equally God together with the Father and the Son, is able to be everywhere all the time. Wherever God’s people are His Kingdom and reign are and there His Holy Spirit is found. God is present with His people everywhere! Listen to a wonderful Scripture of encouragement:
1Jn 4:4 the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Almighty, Sovereign God, You are the Creator of all things, yet You are concerned about us human beings. Thank You that You view our souls as important enough to save us through the Lord Jesus’ Blood Sacrifice. Thank You that for our protection and encourage You dwell within us by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.