This verse from Acts 7:26 is part of Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin, recounting the history of Israel. It refers to a specific incident in the life of Moses, long before the events of the New Testament.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"The day following, he appeared to them as they fought...": This refers to Moses, who had grown up in Pharaoh's household but knew he was Hebrew. After killing an Egyptian taskmaster who was beating a Hebrew slave (mentioned in the preceding verses), Moses likely feared being discovered and left the area. This verse refers to a time after that, presumably when Moses returned to the Hebrews, or maybe before he left and tried to mediate between them before the incident with the Egyptian.
"...and urged them to be at peace again...": Moses is trying to break up a fight between two Hebrews. He recognizes their shared heritage and tries to appeal to their sense of kinship.
"...saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’": This is the core of the verse. Moses' plea is based on the concept of brotherhood (shared ancestry and identity). He points out the inherent contradiction of family members fighting and mistreating each other. It highlights the importance of unity and reconciliation within the community.
Significance in the Context of Stephen's Speech:
Stephen is using this story to illustrate a pattern in Israelite history:
Rejection of God's Chosen Leaders: Moses, meant to be a deliverer, was rejected by his own people. This foreshadows the rejection of Jesus, the ultimate deliverer, by the Jewish leaders.
Internal Conflict and Disunity: The infighting among the Hebrews mirrors the divisions within the Jewish community in Stephen's time.
Ignoring Divine Messengers: The Hebrews ignored Moses' plea for peace, just as the Jewish leaders are ignoring Stephen's message about Jesus.
In essence, this verse is a simple plea for peace and unity based on shared identity and brotherhood. However, in the context of Acts and Stephen's speech, it becomes a powerful illustration of a recurring theme of rejection of God's messengers and internal conflict within Israel. It is a warning and a call to recognize the common bond and to embrace the path to reconciliation.
This verse from Acts 7:26 is part of Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin, recounting the history of Israel. It refers to a specific incident in the life of Moses, long before the events of the New Testament.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"The day following, he appeared to them as they fought...": This refers to Moses, who had grown up in Pharaoh's household but knew he was Hebrew. After killing an Egyptian taskmaster who was beating a Hebrew slave (mentioned in the preceding verses), Moses likely feared being discovered and left the area. This verse refers to a time after that, presumably when Moses returned to the Hebrews, or maybe before he left and tried to mediate between them before the incident with the Egyptian.
"...and urged them to be at peace again...": Moses is trying to break up a fight between two Hebrews. He recognizes their shared heritage and tries to appeal to their sense of kinship.
"...saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’": This is the core of the verse. Moses' plea is based on the concept of brotherhood (shared ancestry and identity). He points out the inherent contradiction of family members fighting and mistreating each other. It highlights the importance of unity and reconciliation within the community.
Significance in the Context of Stephen's Speech:
Stephen is using this story to illustrate a pattern in Israelite history:
Rejection of God's Chosen Leaders: Moses, meant to be a deliverer, was rejected by his own people. This foreshadows the rejection of Jesus, the ultimate deliverer, by the Jewish leaders.
Internal Conflict and Disunity: The infighting among the Hebrews mirrors the divisions within the Jewish community in Stephen's time.
Ignoring Divine Messengers: The Hebrews ignored Moses' plea for peace, just as the Jewish leaders are ignoring Stephen's message about Jesus.
In essence, this verse is a simple plea for peace and unity based on shared identity and brotherhood. However, in the context of Acts and Stephen's speech, it becomes a powerful illustration of a recurring theme of rejection of God's messengers and internal conflict within Israel. It is a warning and a call to recognize the common bond and to embrace the path to reconciliation.