Read Acts 7.17-34
7.17-50: the story of Moses to Solomon, from exodus to kings, is told in sequence (note times in vv. 20, 23, 26, 30, 36, 42, 45) and from within Israel (our ancestors in vv. 19, 32, 38, 39, 44, 45), repeating the themes of the scriptural histories of God's fidelity and Israel's rejection.
Like Moses' speech at the end of his life (Deut 32-34), Stephen is citing Israel's history "in witness against you" (Deut 32.46), as a call to repentance.
In verse 22: In the retelling of ex 2 in many Jewish sources, Moses was famous for his mastery of the wisdom of the Egyptians.
In verses 25-27: This interpretation of what they did not understand is consistent with Luke's emphasis on the "ignorance" that can be forgiven (3.17; 17.30).
To push Moses aside is to reject him as ruler and liberator (v. 35).
In verse 30: The appearance of the angel in the flame of the burning bush (Ex 3.2) was variously allegorized in many first century interpretations.
Like the Pharisees who were known to believe in angelic messengers, Stephen receives these accounts literally (see vv. 38, 53).
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