Question

Explain the purpose of Stephen’s comparison between Israel’s treatment of Moses and the Jews’ treatment of Jesus. Answer in complete sentences.

Answer 1

Stephen's comparison between Moses's and Jesus's treatment by their contemporaries emphasizes the recurring theme of prophets facing rejection despite performing miracles and the continuity between the Covenant in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of Stephen's comparison between Israel's treatment of Moses and the Jews' treatment of Jesus serves to highlight patterns of rejection and misunderstanding by the people of the prophets and messengers sent to guide them. In the biblical narrative, Moses endures the Israelites' lack of faith and rebellion, as when they worship the golden calf instead of remaining true to the covenant with Yahweh. Similarly, Jesus faces rejection and betrayal by the very people he came to save, culminating in his crucifixion.

For both early Christians and early Jews, their prophets performed miracles that validated their divine messages. Moses brought forth water from a rock and led the Exodus, while Jesus performed healings and was resurrected. Stephen's comparison implies a continuity of divine intervention and the repeated failure of people to recognize and accept it. Moreover, it underscores the early Christians' view of Jesus as a prophetic figure akin to Moses, one who tried to deliver a divine message but was met with resistance and unfaithfulness.

Through this comparison, Stephen is also emphasizing the transformative nature of these spiritual leaders and the opportunities for redemption they offered—a message reflecting the early Christian belief in the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies through Jesus.

Answer 2

Stephen's comparison emphasizes the recurring rejection of spiritual leaders by their people, suggesting a parallel between the treatment of Moses by the Israelites and that of Jesus by the Jews, reinforcing Jesus's divine mission and encouraging steadfast faith.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of Stephen's comparison between Israel's treatment of Moses and the Jews' treatment of Jesus is to highlight the pattern of rejection of divine messengers by their people and demonstrate the consistency of faith and divine intervention in historical religious events. Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments, was met with doubt and disobedience when the Israelites worshipped a golden calf in his absence. Similarly, Jesus, despite performing miracles and teaching love and compassion, was rejected and crucified by the very people he came to save, according to Christian belief.

Both narratives underscore the idea of a supreme being aiding those who follow divine commandments while also showing the human tendency to doubt and reject profound spiritual leadership. For early Christians, Stephen's comparison would have offered a powerful parallel between Jesus and the revered prophet Moses, reinforcing Jesus's status as a divine entity and his mission as the fulfillment of prophetic tradition. This comparison also served as an encouragement to maintain faith despite persecution, much like the Israelites following Moses through the desert.