Acts 7:10 – “and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.”

Extended Explanation

This verse continues Stephen’s retelling of Joseph’s story, showing how God was with him, even when he faced betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment.

Joseph’s life was filled with hardship. His own brothers sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28), he was falsely accused and imprisoned (Genesis 39:20), and he was forgotten by those he helped (Genesis 40:23). But through it all, God never abandoned him. Instead, God rescued him from every trial, giving him wisdom and favor so that, in the end, he was raised to a position of great authority—second only to Pharaoh himself.

Joseph’s wisdom was God-given. When Pharaoh had troubling dreams, Joseph—through divine wisdom—was able to interpret them and provide a plan to save Egypt from famine (Genesis 41:25-32). Because of this, Pharaoh elevated Joseph to ruler over Egypt, making him responsible for overseeing the food supply and ensuring that Egypt (and later Joseph’s own family) survived the famine.

Stephen’s point was clear: God’s chosen servants may go through suffering, but He remains with them, rescues them, and fulfills His purpose through them. This would eventually connect to Stephen’s bigger argument—that Jesus, too, suffered unjustly but was ultimately exalted by God.

Historical Context

Joseph’s rise to power in Egypt is one of the most remarkable stories in the Bible.

• Egypt was the dominant world power at the time, making Joseph’s role second only to Pharaoh incredibly significant.
• Pharaohs often appointed wise foreigners as advisors, so Joseph’s elevation was not unheard of—but his rapid rise from prisoner to ruler was clearly the work of God.
• The famine that Joseph predicted lasted seven years and affected not only Egypt but also surrounding nations, forcing people (including his brothers) to come to him for help.
• The Pharaoh’s trust in Joseph was so great that he essentially ruled the kingdom’s affairs, showing how God can use even a foreign land to fulfill His purposes.

Stephen’s audience—the Jewish leaders—knew this story well. But Stephen was making a larger point: Joseph was rejected before he was exalted, just as Jesus was.

Theological Implications

1. God’s Presence in Suffering. Even when Joseph was betrayed, enslaved, and imprisoned, God was with him and used every situation for good.
2. God Gives Wisdom to Those Who Trust Him. Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams and lead wisely was not from himself but from God’s divine wisdom.
3. God Lifts Up the Humble. Joseph went from a prisoner to a ruler because he remained faithful to God. In the same way, Jesus humbled Himself and was later exalted by God (Philippians 2:5-11).
4. God Uses the Unexpected. Joseph, an outsider and a former slave, became the most powerful man in Egypt after Pharaoh. God’s plans often unfold in ways we do not expect.

Stephen was subtly leading to the idea that Jesus, too, had been unjustly treated, but God had exalted Him—a truth the Jewish leaders were rejecting.

Literary Analysis

Acts 7:10 follows a clear pattern of suffering, wisdom, and exaltation:

1. Suffering – Joseph faced betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment.
2. Wisdom – God gave him divine understanding.
3. Exaltation – He was lifted to a high position.

This same pattern is found throughout the Bible: Moses, David, and most importantly, Jesus all faced rejection before being exalted.

Stephen’s speech builds on this pattern, preparing to make his main accusation: Israel had consistently rejected God’s chosen ones, and they were now rejecting Jesus.

Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 39:2-3 – Even in slavery, God was with Joseph and caused him to succeed.
• Genesis 41:39-41 – Pharaoh recognizes that Joseph has wisdom from God and appoints him ruler over Egypt.
• Genesis 50:20 – Joseph tells his brothers that what they meant for evil, God used for good.
• Psalm 105:17-22 – A poetic summary of Joseph’s story, emphasizing God’s hand in his rise to power.
• James 1:5 – God gives wisdom to those who ask for it, just as He did for Joseph.
• Philippians 2:5-11 – Jesus humbled Himself but was later exalted by God, mirroring Joseph’s journey.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse reminds us that God is always at work, even in the most difficult situations.

• God can bring good out of suffering. What seemed like the worst moments of Joseph’s life were actually preparing him for a greater purpose (Romans 8:28).
• God gives wisdom when we seek Him. Joseph relied on God for understanding, and we too can seek wisdom from God in our challenges (James 1:5).
• God lifts up those who remain faithful. Joseph did not let hardship turn him away from God. Instead, he remained faithful, and God raised him up in His perfect timing (1 Peter 5:6).

For believers today, this verse is a reminder to trust God’s plan, even when things don’t make sense.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is evident in how He stayed with Joseph, rescued him, and used his suffering for good.

• God did not prevent Joseph’s hardships, but He was with him through them.
• God’s love was not just for Joseph—He used Joseph’s suffering to save many people from famine.
• God’s love often involves a bigger purpose than we can see at the moment.

Just as He worked in Joseph’s life, God is working in our lives today, even when we don’t understand what He’s doing.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Joseph’s life is one of the clearest foreshadowings of Jesus in the Old Testament:

1. Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers → Jesus was betrayed by His own people. (John 1:11)
2. Joseph was sold for silver → Jesus was betrayed for silver. (Matthew 26:14-15)
3. Joseph suffered unjustly but was later exalted → Jesus was crucified but then resurrected and glorified. (Acts 2:32-33)
4. Joseph saved many people through his suffering → Jesus’ suffering brought salvation to the world. (John 3:16)

Stephen was making it clear: Just as Joseph was rejected but later became a savior, Jesus was rejected but is the true Savior of the world.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever gone through a difficult time that later turned out to be part of God’s greater plan?
2. How does Joseph’s story encourage you to trust God even when things seem unfair?
3. Joseph’s wisdom came from God. Do you seek God’s wisdom in your daily life?
4. Joseph was faithful even in suffering. How can you remain faithful when life is hard?
5. How does Joseph’s life point you to Jesus?

This verse reminds us that God is always in control. Even in our hardest moments, He is working for our good, shaping us for a greater purpose, and leading us toward the fulfillment of His perfect plan. Like Joseph, we are called to trust Him—because, in the end, God always brings redemption.