Acts 7:35
“This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easily missed is that Moses, initially rejected as a mere "ruler and judge," was actually sent by God with a higher calling: to be a "ruler and redeemer." This deliberate word choice elevates Moses' role, highlighting his power to rescue not just from injustice, but from bondage, foreshadowing a greater deliverance to come.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel's relationship with God, highlighting their repeated rejection of leaders and prophets sent by God. He's showing how their ancestors refused Moses, even when God appointed him as their ruler and redeemer through an angel. This sets up his crucial point: they are now doing the same thing to Jesus, whom Moses himself foretold.
The people questioned Moses' authority: 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' But Stephen highlights that God's appointment far surpasses human recognition.
A Higher Calling
The Israelites rejected Moses when he first stepped into leadership, questioning his legitimacy. They saw him as an outsider, not their divinely appointed leader. Stephen emphasizes that despite their rejection, God Himself had commissioned Moses. This wasn't a popularity contest; it was God's sovereign choice.
God's Authority Reigns
Stephen uses emphatic language, repeating "This Moses" to underscore that the very man they disdained was the one God sent. God’s will and power are supreme. When God appoints someone, their authority is absolute, regardless of human opinion or acceptance. Their rejection of Moses was a rejection of God's own plan.
Stephen reveals a powerful progression in Moses' role: from judge to ruler and, ultimately, redeemer. This wasn't just about earthly power, but divine deliverance.
The Weight of 'Redeemer'
The word 'redeemer' (or 'deliverer' in some translations) carries immense weight. It's not just about leading or judging; it's about ransoming, freeing, and rescuing.
Moses, empowered by God through the angel at the burning bush, was sent not only to rule and judge the people but to redeem them – to deliver them from bondage in Egypt and lead them to freedom.
A Shadow of Christ
This role of 'redeemer' is particularly significant because it points beyond Moses. The commentators note that this term is used in a higher sense for Jesus Christ. Moses' work of deliverance was a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate redemption for all humanity. He was a ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel, signifying God’s direct involvement and the ultimate power resting with God, who would one day send His Son to be the supreme Redeemer.
Understand the original words
rhystēs · Greek Noun
The act of setting free or rescuing from bondage, captivity, or danger. Theologically, it often refers to God’s act of liberating His people from physical or spiritual slavery by paying a price or exercising power.
angelos · Greek Noun
A supernatural messenger sent by God to serve as a representative of His presence or to deliver His word. In the context of the burning bush, the 'Angel of the Lord' is often understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.
archōn · Greek Noun
One who exercises authority, governs, or leads. In a biblical context, it refers to those ordained by God to administer justice and guide the people of God according to His law.
Stephen is drawing a powerful parallel between how the ancient Israelites rejected Moses, even after God’s clear commissioning and mighty acts, and how his listeners are currently rejecting Jesus. The rejection of Moses, sent by God through angelic power, highlights a recurring pattern of disobedience in Israel's history, setting the stage for Stephen's accusation.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Moses Appears to Israel
After fleeing Egypt, Moses encounters God in the burning bush and is commissioned to lead the Israelites out of slavery. However, the people initially reject his authority, questioning his leadership.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus Begins
Despite Israel's initial rejection, God empowers Moses, working through angels and performing mighty signs and wonders, to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Forty Years in the Wilderness
As the Israelites journey toward the Promised Land, Moses functions as their ruler, judge, and prophet, guiding them through trials and receiving God's law.
c. 1406 BC
Moses' Final Prophecy
Before his death, Moses prophesies that God will raise up another prophet like him, a clear foreshadowing of the Messiah.
This passage shows the initial rejection of Moses by his own people, mirroring how Stephen argues they rejected him. It highlights their immediate distrust and questioning of his authority when he first tried to intervene.
Deuteronomy 18:15Stephen directly quotes this verse later in his speech (Acts 7:37), showing that Moses himself prophesied about a future 'Prophet like me' that God would raise up. This sets Moses up as a type or precursor to Christ.
Hebrews 9:12This verse speaks of Christ entering the Most Holy Place 'by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.' It parallels the concept of Moses as a 'redeemer' or 'deliverer' (λυτρωτής) by showing Christ as the ultimate Redeemer who secured salvation for His people.
Isaiah 43:11This prophetic declaration states, 'besides me there is no savior.' It reinforces the idea that while Moses acted as a deliverer under God's power, true salvation and redemption ultimately come from God alone, fulfilled in Christ.
John 1:17This verse contrasts the Law given through Moses with grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ. It highlights the progression from the deliverance and leadership Moses provided to the greater, spiritual deliverance and truth found in Jesus.
vincentActs 7:35: "This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush."
Deliverer (λυτρωτὴν)Strictly, a ransomer or redeemer. Only here in New Testament. See on ransom, Matthew 20:28; and redeemed, 1 Peter 1:18.By the hand (ἐν χειρὶ)The best texts read σύν χειρὶ, "with the hand;" i.e., in association with the protecting and helping power of the angel.
meyerActs 7:35: "This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush."
Acts 7:35-37 . The recurring τοῦτον is emphatic: this and none other . See Bornemann in the Sächs. Stud. 1842, p. 66. Also in the following Acts 7:36-38 , οὗτος … οὗτος … οὗτος are always emphatically prefixed. ὃν ἠρνήσαντο ] whom they (at that time, Acts 7:27 ) denied , namely, as ἄρχοντα καὶ δικαστ…
What's easily missed is that Moses, initially rejected as a mere "ruler and judge," was actually sent by God with a higher calling: to be a "ruler and redeemer." This deliberate word choice elevates Moses' role, highlighting his power to rescue not just from injustice, but from bondage, foreshadowing a greater deliverance to come.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel's relationship with God, highlighting their repeated rejection of leaders and prophets sent by God. He's showing how their ancestors refused Moses, even when God appointed him as their ruler and redeemer through an angel. This sets up his crucial point: they are now doing the same thing to Jesus, whom Moses himself foretold.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel's relationship with God, highlighting their repeated rejection of leaders and prophets sent by God. He's showing how their ancestors refused Moses, even when God appointed him as their ruler and redeemer through an angel. This sets up his crucial point: they are now doing the same thing to Jesus, whom Moses himself foretold.
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"“This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush." — What's easily missed is that Moses, initially rejected as a mere "ruler and judge," was actually sent by God with a higher calling: to be a "ruler and redeemer." This deliberate word choice elevate…
