Acts 7:20 – “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for in his parents’ home.”

Extended Explanation

Stephen, in his speech before the Sanhedrin, continues his retelling of Israel’s history. Now, he reaches the story of Moses, Israel’s great deliverer.

This verse marks a turning point in Israel’s suffering in Egypt. Pharaoh had ordered the killing of all Hebrew baby boys (Acts 7:19; Exodus 1:22), but at that exact moment, Moses was born. God was not absent during Israel’s oppression—He was already preparing a deliverer.

Stephen describes Moses as “no ordinary child.” This could mean:

1. Moses was beautiful in God’s sight (as stated in Exodus 2:2 and Hebrews 11:23).
2. God had a special plan for him—he was chosen to lead Israel out of Egypt.
3. His parents recognized that God had a purpose for him, and they had the faith to hide him from Pharaoh’s deadly decree.

Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20), hid him for three months, risking their own lives. Their faith played a key role in God’s plan. They trusted that God would protect Moses, and He did.

Stephen is making a larger point here: God often raises up deliverers when His people are suffering. Just as He raised Moses to deliver Israel, He had now sent Jesus to bring ultimate salvation—but Israel was rejecting Him, just as they had first rejected Moses.

Historical Context

• Pharaoh had commanded the killing of Hebrew baby boys. This was a form of population control to weaken the Israelites and keep them from rising against Egypt (Exodus 1:22).
• Moses’ parents acted in faith. They defied Pharaoh’s orders and hid their son, risking their own safety (Exodus 2:1-3).
• Moses was later placed in a basket in the Nile. His mother made a waterproof basket and placed him in the river, trusting God for his safety (Exodus 2:3).
• Pharaoh’s daughter rescued Moses. Ironically, the very ruler who wanted to kill Hebrew boys ended up raising Israel’s future deliverer in his own household (Exodus 2:5-10).

Stephen’s audience would have recognized that Moses’ story foreshadowed how God works—He raises up a savior in times of oppression.

Theological Implications

1. God’s plan is always at work, even in the worst circumstances. While Pharaoh was trying to destroy Israel, God was already preparing a deliverer.
2. Faith requires action. Moses’ parents did not passively accept Pharaoh’s decree. They took action by hiding Moses, showing that true faith leads to courageous obedience (Hebrews 11:23).
3. God protects those He has called. Pharaoh wanted all Hebrew boys dead, yet God ensured that Moses would not only survive but be raised in Pharaoh’s palace.
4. God’s chosen leaders often start in humble, unlikely places. Moses, like many of God’s servants, began his life in obscurity before being called to great things.

Stephen is showing the Sanhedrin that God’s chosen deliverers often face rejection, suffering, or threats before they fulfill their mission—just as Jesus did.

Literary Analysis

This verse is part of a recurring theme in Scripture:

• A deliverer is born during a time of great oppression.
• He is miraculously saved from death.
• God’s plan unfolds despite human opposition.

This pattern is seen in:

• Joseph – Rejected by his brothers before rising to power.
• Moses – Almost killed as a baby but later delivers Israel.
• Jesus – Born under Herod’s reign, who tried to kill Him (Matthew 2:13-16).

Stephen is setting up the argument that Israel’s rejection of Jesus is part of a long history of rejecting God’s chosen deliverers.

Biblical Cross-References

• Exodus 2:1-3 – The birth of Moses and his parents hiding him.
• Exodus 2:5-10 – Pharaoh’s daughter rescues and adopts Moses.
• Hebrews 11:23 – Moses’ parents hid him by faith, believing God had a purpose for him.
• Matthew 2:13-16 – Herod tries to kill Jesus, just as Pharaoh tried to kill Moses.
• Acts 7:25 – Stephen later explains that Moses was rejected at first, just as Jesus was.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse teaches us several important lessons:

• God is at work, even when we don’t see it. While the Israelites were suffering, God was already preparing Moses. Even in hard times, God is still working.
• Faith often requires courage. Moses’ parents risked their lives to protect their son. Following God sometimes means standing against the world’s commands.
• God’s timing is perfect. Moses was born at the right moment for God’s plan to unfold. In the same way, Jesus came at the right time to bring salvation (Galatians 4:4).
• God often chooses the unlikely. Moses was a helpless baby, yet God used him to lead a nation. God can use anyone—no matter how small or weak they may seem.

For us today, this means we should trust God’s plan, even when things seem uncertain.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in this verse in several ways:

1. He provides protection in times of danger. Moses should have been killed, but God preserved him.
2. He raises up leaders to bring deliverance. God doesn’t abandon His people—He sends help at the right time.
3. His love is at work even before we understand it. Moses was a baby, unaware of what was happening, yet God’s plan for his life was already unfolding.

This shows that God’s love is constant, even in difficult seasons.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Moses’ story foreshadows Jesus in several ways:

1. Both were born under a death sentence. (Exodus 1:22; Matthew 2:16)
2. Both were miraculously preserved. (Exodus 2:3-6; Matthew 2:13-15)
3. Both were chosen to lead God’s people to freedom. (Exodus 3:10; Luke 4:18)
4. Both were initially rejected by their people. (Exodus 2:14; John 1:11)
5. Both fulfilled God’s ultimate plan for deliverance. (Exodus 12:31; John 8:36)

Stephen was making the case that just as Israel had rejected Moses at first, they were now rejecting Jesus, the ultimate Deliverer.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever faced a situation where you had to trust God even when things looked hopeless?
2. How does the story of Moses’ birth encourage you to trust in God’s plan for your life?
3. Moses’ parents acted in faith, even when it was dangerous. How can you demonstrate faith in difficult situations?
4. How does Moses’ story help you understand Jesus’ role as the ultimate Deliverer?
5. How does knowing that God is always working behind the scenes give you confidence in times of trouble?

This verse reminds us that God is always at work, even in the darkest times. Just as He raised up Moses to lead Israel out of slavery, He has sent Jesus to lead us out of sin and into eternal life. No matter what the world may try to do, God’s plan will always prevail.