Acts 7:15-16
“And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.”
Here Stephen’s message gets a little muddy unless you know the history of Shechem. This would have been intentional to say, not accidental. This would have woken any Jewish person up in this moment, like pouring cold water on a sleeping baby. These people listening would like to forget Shechem, but Stephen will not allow that. Mentioning Shechem, would be like mentioning Samaria, a hated region that is near their “promise land”. This was racism towards the people in Shechem and Samaria. These people were hated because of things they could not change about themselves. Stephen is preparing their hearts to be pierced by the Gospel.
God is love
God loves people
God’s people are to love
All people
God’s love is UNCONDITIONAL and SACRIFICIAL. We have God living inside of us, and His love ought to be seen heard and felt from His people. Father God, thank You for loving me, not based on my good or bad thoughts, words and actions, but based on Your character. Help me to love those around me today, like You love me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ACTION: Love more