Acts 7:6 – “God spoke to him in this way: ‘For four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated.’”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Stephen continues his speech before the Sanhedrin by recalling God’s prophecy to Abraham. God had promised Abraham land and descendants, but He also warned that his descendants would first go through a long period of suffering. They would be strangers in a foreign land for 400 years, where they would be enslaved and mistreated before receiving the land God had promised.

This prophecy was fulfilled in the story of Israel’s time in Egypt. After Joseph brought his family to Egypt (Genesis 46), the Israelites multiplied and became a great people. But a new Pharaoh arose who enslaved them (Exodus 1:8-14). Their suffering lasted centuries before God sent Moses to deliver them.

Stephen brings this up to show that God’s plan unfolds in stages. The Jewish people had always faced hardship before receiving God’s blessings. This was a pattern in their history, and now, they were rejecting Jesus—the one who came to bring the ultimate deliverance.

Historical Context

At the time of Abraham, there was no Israelite nation yet—only a promise. This promise included a difficult waiting period.

• The 400 years of suffering – This refers to the Israelites’ time in Egypt before the Exodus. It wasn’t exactly 400 years to the day but a rounded number to describe four centuries of hardship.
• The land not their own – Before the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, they lived as foreigners in Egypt. This fulfilled what God had told Abraham in Genesis 15:13.
• Moses and the Exodus – After 400 years, God raised up Moses to deliver His people, showing that He had not forgotten His promise.

Stephen’s point was that Israel’s history had always included times of suffering before redemption. The Sanhedrin was resisting this truth—they wanted God’s blessings without acknowledging the trials and sacrifices that often came first.

Theological Implications

1. God’s Promises Often Involve Waiting and Suffering. God had a plan for Israel, but it included a long period of hardship before fulfillment. This shows that suffering does not mean God has abandoned His people.
2. God is Always in Control. Even though Israel would be enslaved, God had already determined their deliverance. He was not surprised by their suffering, and He had a purpose for it.
3. Faith Requires Endurance. The Israelites had to hold on to God’s promise even in the midst of suffering. In the same way, Christians are called to trust God, even when life is difficult.

Stephen was also making a deeper argument: Israel had a history of rejecting God’s messengers. Just as they rejected Moses at first (Acts 7:35), they were now rejecting Jesus.

Literary Analysis

This verse follows the pattern of promise, suffering, and deliverance that runs throughout Scripture.

• Promise: God tells Abraham his descendants will inherit the land.
• Suffering: Before that happens, they will be enslaved.
• Deliverance: God will rescue them after 400 years.

Stephen is building a case that this pattern continued with Jesus. He was the ultimate deliverer, but just like Moses, He was being rejected.

Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 15:13-14 – God tells Abraham that his descendants will be enslaved for 400 years but will be delivered.
• Exodus 1:8-14 – The fulfillment of this prophecy as Israel is oppressed in Egypt.
• Exodus 3:7-10 – God calls Moses to lead His people out of slavery.
• Acts 7:35-39 – Stephen later connects this story to how Israel also rejected Moses.
• John 15:18-20 – Jesus warned that His followers would also face suffering before their ultimate reward.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse teaches us that suffering is often part of God’s plan. Just as Israel had to go through hardship before receiving the Promised Land, believers often experience trials before seeing God’s blessings.

• God’s promises are sure, even when we can’t see them. The Israelites had to trust God’s word for 400 years before it was fulfilled.
• Suffering does not mean God has abandoned us. Israel’s slavery was part of a bigger plan. In the same way, our hardships can be part of God’s purpose for our growth and His glory.
• We must trust God’s timing. The Israelites had to wait four centuries for deliverance. Sometimes, we also have to wait for God’s answers, but His timing is always perfect.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

At first glance, it may seem harsh that God allowed His people to be enslaved for 400 years. But when we look deeper, we see that God’s love is displayed in His faithfulness to His promises.

• He didn’t abandon Israel—He delivered them at the right time.
• He used their suffering to shape them into a nation that would trust Him.
• He gave them a future beyond their suffering, just as He promises us eternal life with Him.

God’s love does not mean we are exempt from suffering, but it does mean He will always be with us and bring us through it.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Israel’s story of slavery and deliverance is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ work on the cross.

1. Jesus Came to Deliver Us from Spiritual Slavery. (John 8:34-36) – Just as Israel was enslaved in Egypt, humanity is enslaved to sin. Jesus came to set us free.
2. Jesus Was Rejected, Just Like Moses. (Acts 7:35) – The Israelites at first rejected Moses, just as the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus.
3. Jesus Calls Us to Endure Suffering Before Glory. (Romans 8:17) – Just as Israel suffered before reaching the Promised Land, Christians are called to endure trials before entering God’s eternal kingdom.
4. Jesus Fulfills God’s Promise to Abraham. (Galatians 3:16) – The ultimate blessing that God promised to Abraham was fulfilled in Jesus.

Stephen’s message was clear: the people of Israel had a history of rejecting God’s chosen deliverers, and now they were rejecting Jesus, the ultimate Savior.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever faced a time of waiting or suffering? How did it affect your trust in God?
2. How does knowing that God’s plan includes trials help you face difficulties in your life?
3. The Israelites had to wait 400 years for deliverance. What does this teach us about God’s timing?
4. Stephen was pointing out that Israel often resisted God’s messengers. Are there ways you resist what God is doing in your life?
5. How does this passage deepen your appreciation for Jesus as our ultimate deliverer?

This verse reminds us that God’s plan is bigger than our immediate circumstances. Just as He was faithful to Israel, He will be faithful to us—leading us through trials, keeping His promises, and ultimately bringing us into His presence.