Reading for April 24th

Read Acts 7.35-50
In verse 35: The phrase this Moses whom they rejected (see also v. 37, this is the Moses who said) parallels this Jesus whom you crucified (2.36, see also 2.23, 32).
In verses 37: Stephen invokes the crucial passage from Deut 18.15 that was used to identify Jesus as "the prophet like Moses" (3.22).
In verse 39: Our ancestors were unwilling to obey ... pushed him aside (see verse 27).
In verses 40-41: On the story of the calf, see ex 32.
In verse 41: Idolatry is the most grievous sin in Israel, violating the first commandment.
In verses 42-43: the book of the prophets may refer to a collection of the twelve minor prophets.
The prophetic verdict of Amos 5.25-27 against Israel's idolatry is now cited not merely for exile beyond Damascus, but beyond Babylon.
In verses 44-48:This scriptural argument turns against the Temple as God's dwelling place, because the Most High does not dwell in houses made with human hands (see v. 41 on idols and Paul's speech about temples in 17.24).
In verses 49-50: This citation from Isa 66.1 further claims the whole creation as God's dwelling made by "may hand."
Ps 132.13-14, by contrast, affirms Zion as God's chosen habitation and resting place forever.
Comments or questions..