Acts 7:17-18
“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While it says the time of the promise "drew near," the ancient Greek word used here doesn't just mean "approached." It implies "in proportion as" the time drew near, the people increased—a powerful reminder that God's timing and His promises work together, often in ways that defy our expectations of how things "should" unfold.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, moving from their ancestor Abraham to the oppression in Egypt. He emphasizes that despite their immense suffering and near annihilation by Pharaoh's cruel decrees, God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would multiply was actively being fulfilled. This multiplication, happening even amidst bondage and threat of extinction, sets the stage for God's eventual intervention through Moses.
Did you know God's promises aren't just vague wishes? They come with a divine timetable, even when things look dire.
Stephen is reminding his audience that God's timing is perfect, even if it doesn't align with human expectations. The phrase 'as the time of the promise drew near' points to a specific, appointed moment for God's plan to unfold. This wasn't just a wish God made to Abraham, but a sworn covenant – a profound commitment. God orchestrates events so that His promises are fulfilled at precisely the right moment, a concept echoed throughout Scripture. This 'appointed time' is crucial; it shows God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even before the deliverance begins.
Think of it like a carefully planned journey. God sets the destination and the itinerary. Even when the travelers face detours or delays (like the Israelites' oppression), the ultimate arrival time is set by the guide.
Imagine being told your family will be blessed and grow, while you're living under intense hardship. That was the Israelites' reality.
This verse presents a powerful paradox: the people 'increased and multiplied' in Egypt, the very place of their oppression. This wasn't a natural, comfortable growth. It happened despite their difficult circumstances, highlighting it as a sign of God's direct intervention and blessing.
This growth wasn't just about numbers; it was about God actively fulfilling His promise to make Abraham's descendants a great nation. Even when Pharaoh would later try to stop this growth through cruelty, God's power ensured it continued. This teaches us that our challenging environments don't negate God's promises for us. His blessing can manifest even in the midst of suffering, proving His power is greater than any earthly circumstance.
Understand the original words
epangelia · Greek Noun
A prophetic declaration or oath made by God to His people, establishing a covenantal commitment that He will fulfill in His perfect timing. It often refers to the specific covenant made with the patriarchs regarding the land and the multiplication of descendants.
basileus · Greek Noun
A generic term for a monarch, ruler, or sovereign, often implying absolute or dictatorial authority in the context of ancient Near Eastern powers like Egypt.
Stephen highlights God's faithfulness to His promise of descendants, even amidst severe oppression and near annihilation, setting the stage for the eventual Exodus.
c. 1845 BC
Abraham enters Canaan
God promises Abraham vast descendants and land, initiating a covenant that would span generations.
c. 1800-1700 BC
Joseph sold into Egypt
Joseph, a descendant of Abraham, is sold into slavery in Egypt, eventually rising to a position of power.
c. 1700-1550 BC— this verse
Israelites multiply in Egypt
Under favorable early conditions, the descendants of Abraham grow into a large population in the land of Goshen.
c. 1550-1450 BC
New dynasty oppresses Israelites
A new ruling dynasty, possibly the 18th Dynasty, arises in Egypt and no longer remembers Joseph's contributions, leading to the enslavement of the Israelites.
c. 1440s BC
This passage directly describes the promise God made to Abraham about his descendants multiplying and being oppressed in a foreign land for 400 years, setting the stage for the event in Acts.
Exodus 1:7-12This section details the incredible multiplication of the Israelites in Egypt, as mentioned in Acts, and introduces the new king who feared their numbers and began their oppression.
Galatians 3:17Paul references the 430-year period from the promise to Abraham until the law was given, aligning with the timing Stephen is discussing and highlighting the faithfulness of God's promise.
Hebrews 11:13This verse speaks of Abraham and his descendants living by faith, 'not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,' underscoring the long-held nature of the promise Stephen is referring to.
ellicottActs 7:17: "But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,"
(17) Which God had sworn to Abraham. —The better MSS. give, which God promised.
calvinActs 7:17-19: "But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,"
And when the time of the promise drew near, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people increased, and was multiplied in Egypt, 18. Until another king arose, which knew not Joseph: 19. This man dealt subtilely with our kindred; he evil-entreated our fathers, that they might cast out their infants, lest they should be increased.
Stephen passeth over unto th…
While it says the time of the promise "drew near," the ancient Greek word used here doesn't just mean "approached." It implies "in proportion as" the time drew near, the people increased—a powerful reminder that God's timing and His promises work together, often in ways that defy our expectations of how things "should" unfold.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, moving from their ancestor Abraham to the oppression in Egypt. He emphasizes that despite their immense suffering and near annihilation by Pharaoh's cruel decrees, God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would multiply was actively being fulfilled. This multiplication, happening even amidst bondage and threat of extinction, sets the stage for God's eventual intervention through Moses.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, moving from their ancestor Abraham to the oppression in Egypt. He emphasizes that despite their immense suffering and near annihilation by Pharaoh's cruel decrees, God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would multiply was actively being fulfilled. This multiplication, happening even amidst bondage and threat of extinction, sets the stage for God's eventual intervention through Moses.
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Pharaoh orders infanticide
The Egyptian king decrees that all newborn Hebrew boys are to be thrown into the Nile, a brutal attempt to curb the growing Israelite population.
c. 1440s BC
Moses born and hidden
Moses is born during the height of the oppression and infanticide, miraculously saved and eventually raised in Pharaoh's own household.
"“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph." — While it says the time of the promise "drew near," the ancient Greek word used here doesn't just mean "approached." It implies "in proportion as" the time drew near, the people increased—a powerful…
