God Spoke, But You Wouldn’t Listen
He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. ~ Acts 7:25
When Stephen stood before the religious leaders in Acts 7, he wasn’t giving them a history lesson for the sake of it. He was showing how, time after time, God reached out to His people, and how, time after time, they resisted Him. What Stephen says in verses 1 through 29 hits home even now. It’s not just about Israel, it’s about every generation that hears the truth of God and still turns away.
Stephen begins with Abraham, a man called by God to leave everything behind and follow Him by faith. Abraham obeyed, even though he didn’t see the full promise come to pass. That’s real faith. Today, most people want proof before obedience. But God says, “Trust Me first.” Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” That was Abraham’s life.
Stephen then talks about Joseph, sold by his brothers out of jealousy, yet God used that betrayal to bring salvation during famine. Sound familiar? Jesus, too, was rejected by His own people. The same spirit that hated Joseph’s dreams hated the truth Christ brought. And people today still reject the truth out of pride, jealousy, or fear of what it will cost them.
Then came Moses, raised up by God to deliver Israel. But what did they do? They pushed him away. Stephen says in Acts 7:25 that Moses “supposed that his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.” Isn’t that the case today? People don’t want God’s deliverance, they want their comfort zones. So when truth comes, real, uncomfortable truth, they reject it and attack the messenger.
God was patient through it all. But let’s be honest: patience is not the same as approval. When God delays judgment, it’s mercy. But that mercy runs out if repentance never comes. Just like Israel in Moses’ time, many today are ignoring the very voice that could save them. Jesus warned in Luke 13:3, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
The question is, are we listening? Or are we still resisting the truth like the people in Stephen’s day? God keeps raising up voices. He keeps calling people out of their sin. But too many are doing exactly what Israel did, mocking, hardening their hearts, and choosing bondage over freedom.
If you’re reading this, know that God is still calling. But don’t assume you’ll always have time. The same God who called Abraham, raised up Joseph, and sent Moses, has now spoken to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1–2). Rejecting Him is not just rebellion, it’s suicide.
Today is the day to turn from sin, believe the Gospel, and follow the true Deliverer, Jesus Christ. Don’t be like those who heard and refused. Be like Abraham, who believed and obeyed. Be like Moses, who walked away from the world’s riches to follow the call of God. The same God is speaking now. Are you listening?
1 Kings 5:1-6:38
Acts 7:1-29
Psalm 127:1-5
Proverbs 16:28-30
New Testament: Acts 7:1-29
Summary: Stephen’s Speech
Stephen tried to get the Pharisees to open their eyes and see what the Old Testament actually said, It’s just like what Jesus did. In our reading today Stephen gives a powerful, thorough defense of his faith in the teachings of the Old Testament. (Another reason to know the Bible and its truths.) The ending of his speech will condemn the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they seized him. In his strongly critical assessment and controversial opinion, he claimed that they were responsible and not he that was rejecting and speaking against God. Stephen was such a bold and courageous man who was filled with the Holy Spirit. Unlike most of us today, he did not care whether his speech was politically correct. This is why I think the world is going in the wrong direction like it is now. Knowing the truths in the Bible will make us more apt to preach the truth and not just hear the excuses like “you should not judge anyone” statements we hear all the time nowadays, which is an out-of-context statement that shows whoever is saying this doesn’t know the Bible.
One more thought.
How does this speech end up in the Bible?
An unfriendly young man was listening. Saul was his name. He probably told Luke about it. Seems God used Stephen to plant the truth in Saul’s head and it sprouted. No telling how many others it affected. So knowing the truths of the Bible and sharing them is what life is all about. ~ David Campbell
Acts 7:25 — Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.
Overview: Acts 1-12 Click Here to Watch Video
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