In Acts chapter 7 Stephen is giving his defense before the Sanhedrin. But rather than using this time to defend himself, he gives a history lesson to the religious leaders. He spoke of the covenant God gave to Abraham and then he continued with the stories of Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve sons of Jacob. He reminded them how the brothers had treated Joseph when, because of their jealousy, they sold him into slavery. God was with him, “rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.” (Acts 7:10)
If you know the rest of the story, you know that Joseph became a great leader in Egypt, saving the lives of people from all over the known world during a seven year worldwide famine. (You can read an abbreviated account in Acts 7:11-16 and a more detailed account in Genesis chapters 41-47.) His own family was saved and moved to Egypt. Over time, generation after generation, the family multiplied from the 75 people of Joseph’s family to a large and “exceedingly mighty” group of people “so that the land [of Egypt] was filled with them.” (Exodus 1:7)
Stephen continued his story to the Sanhedrin with these words: “Until there arose another king over Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph.” (Acts 7:18)
Whenever I read those words, whether in the Acts or Exodus accounts (Exodus 1:8) it makes me stop and wonder – why didn’t the new king know about Joseph? Joseph had been instrumental in keeping so many people alive during a disastrous time in their history. He had brought vast amounts of wealth into the land of Egypt. He was a hero! Sure, it had been in the past and much time had gone by, but the story is not one that would be easily forgotten.
Then it hits me – the new king had not forgotten the story. He had not heard the story. And why not? No one had told him. The king, despite all his education, did not know his own country’s history.
This brings me to today, and I wonder. How many people know the history of our country – the true history? What are they being told in a country bent on rewriting or even ignoring history to suit the current narrative? How much do we learn from the history we DO know. And whose responsibility is it to let the people know. If we are not telling, why not?
And then I think about our personal faith history. How much do our friends and family members know of our faith story? How much do we talk about the faithfulness of God in our family through past generations and up to today? If we do not tell them, how will they know?
Scripture challenges people to “remember” or to “not forget” what God has done. But one does not remember what one has never heard. Tell the stories!
“To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.”
~ Francis J. Crosby, 1875
God HAS done great things for us – for our country, and for us as individuals. What one good thing could you pass on to someone today?
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3
Blessings,
Ruth
Reaching, Encouraging, Connecting 