Acts 7:3

"He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,"

Key Reflection

When Stephen spoke these words to his accusers, he referred back to Abraham's journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan as a pivotal moment of divine revelation and covenantal promise. For the original audience, this would have resonated deeply because it highlighted God’s initial call to Abraham, emphasizing that God's relationship with Israel began long before they had entered the Promised Land. This contextualizes the faithfulness of God and sets up the narrative arc that culminates in Moses leading the people out of Egypt.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 3. And said unto him. How long this was said unto him before he went is not recorded. Moses simply says that God had commanded him to go, Ge 12:1. Thy kindred. Thy relatives, or family connexions. It seems that Terah went with him as far as to Haran; but Abraham was apprized that he was to leave his family, and to go almost alone. Into the land, etc. The country was yet unknown. The place was to be shown him. This is presented in the New Testament as a strong instance of faith, Heb 11:8,9. It was an act of simple confidence in God. And to leave his country and home, to go into a land of strangers, not knowing whither he went, required strong confidence in God.

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