Acts 7:32Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Then the person of Moses is fully honored in his dignity and significance. This appears when Stephen describes his call by God to the work of Israel's deliverance (vv. 30-35), and the deliverance itself. It also appears in his leading Israel toward the promised land with many signs and wonders (v. 36).

To express still more fully the dignity of Moses, Stephen shows him as a type of the Messiah, as one who conversed with angels, and as mediator between God and Israel (vv. 37-38). By this alone Stephen's whole reverence for the Mosaic law is fully expressed. Yet it is expressed still more when he calls this law "living words" (v. 38).

At the same time, however, this speech is accusatory. In reading it, one cannot fail to notice that Stephen tries, wherever possible, to contrast the benefactions of the saving God with the ingratitude and unbelief of the Israelites.

Thus, even in the life of the patriarchs, he points to Joseph's suffering from the envy of his brothers, the forefathers of the Israelite people (v. 9). In Egypt, the descendants of these sons of Jacob reject the saving hand of Moses (vv. 25-28, 35). In the wilderness they reject Moses and God (vv. 39-43).

In the Lord's words one cannot fail to see an indication of God's faithfulness to the covenants He had made with the forefathers. From this Moses could understand that God wished to show him what He had shown them. Through this He would make Moses the same kind of special chosen one as they were.

In general, Moses had to understand that God was appearing to him as the Master and Providence of his fathers. Therefore he too could hope in His help and care.

Moses' trembling expressed his humility. His hesitation to look upon the manifestation of the Lord expressed the greatest reverence and the awareness of his unworthiness before the most holy and mighty God of his great and righteous fathers.

According to Saint John Chrysostom, Stephen here "expresses not only that the Angel who appeared to Moses was the Angel of Great Counsel (see Is 9:6), but also shows the love for mankind which God displays in this vision."