Tuesday 28 April 2015

Psalm: Psalm 145:8-21

Background 

The story so far … the Apostle Stephen has been doing "greatwonders and powers among the people" (Acts6:8) which has brought him to the attention of the authorities.He is falsely accused of speaking "blasphemous words against Mosesand God" and brought before the Council.

In Acts 7 we read of Stephen speech to the Council (includingthe high priest) in answer to the question "Are these things so?"(Acts 7:1).

Stephen begins speaking about Abraham (Acts 7:2-8) and Joseph (Acts7:9-17), before moving onto the earlier life of Moses (Acts7:18-34). From verse 35 the mood changes as Stephen speaksabout the people rejecting Moses, querying "who made [him] a rulerand judge". Despite his actions leading them out of Egypt and theevent at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20), the Israelites preferred tocreate a (golden) calf and offer sacrifice to the idol.Consequently, according to Stephen, "God turned away from them andhanded them over to worship the host of heaven" (Acts7:42). (The hosts of heaven are the evil forces in combat withGod (Ephesians 6:10-13).

And then we reach today's passage as Stephen talks about why Godis to be worshipped - first in a tent (verse 44) and then in theTemple (verses 46-47). At verse 48 the Apostle turns on hisaudience saying "the Most High does not dwell in houses made withhuman hands", backing it up with a reference from Isaiah 66:1-2. Godis transcendent and as creator it demonstrates God's ownself-sufficiency - no Temple or building is required.

Try and imagine how the speech has been going down with theCouncil. They pride themselves on the forefathers of their faith,especially Abraham, Joseph and Moses. Then Stephen reminds them howthe people (their ancestors) rejected Moses, along with theconsequences. And if to rub salt into the wound, he speaks aboutthe Temple to which the Council would be closely linked and evenhave responsibility for and tells them that it is not God'sdwelling place.

You will need to read tomorrow's passage to discover whathappens next. In the meantime ...

To Ponder

• How do you feel about religious building? To what extent arethey a help or a hindrance to faith and to worship? Try and thinkof some examples.

• Stephen says that God "does not dwell in houses made with humanhands". Why does God dwell for you? Where do you find and feelclose to God?

• This speech forms Stephen's final words (sorry about thespoiler). If you had the last chance to talk about God and yourfaith, what would you say?