“Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;”
My Notes
What Does Acts 7:45 Mean?
"Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David." Stephen traces the Tabernacle's JOURNEY: the next generation (our fathers that came after) brought the tabernacle into the Promised Land WITH JOSHUA ('Jesus' — the Greek form of Joshua's name is identical to Jesus') during the conquest, into the territory God had CLEARED by driving out the Gentile inhabitants. The tabernacle traveled from wilderness to Promised Land, following the people, dwelling among them, through the conquest period until David's reign.
The phrase "brought in with Jesus" (eisēgagon meta Iēsou — they brought in with Jesus/Joshua) uses the SAME Greek name for Joshua that is used for Jesus: Iēsous. The deliberate ambiguity (or typological connection) means the tabernacle was brought into the land with JOSHUA — the Old Testament 'Jesus' who led Israel into the promise. The name-connection between Joshua (who conquered the land) and Jesus (who conquers sin) runs through the same Greek word.
The "into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out" (en tē kataschesei tōn ethnōn, hōn exōsen ho theos — in the possession/dispossession of the nations, whom God thrust out) means God CLEARED the territory: the conquest wasn't just Israel's military victory. God DROVE OUT the inhabitants. The land became available because God made it available. The possession was divine gift, not human achievement.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What territory has God cleared for your mobile expression of His presence?
- 2.What does the Joshua/Jesus name-connection teach about the conquest-leader foreshadowing the Savior?
- 3.How does God driving out the nations (not Israel conquering alone) describe divine action in your 'conquest'?
- 4.What does the tent serving for centuries BEFORE the Temple teach about the value of mobile presence?
Devotional
The next generation brought the tabernacle in with JOSHUA — into the land God cleared by driving out the nations. The tent that traveled through the wilderness now travels into the Promised Land. The presence that moved through the desert now moves through the conquest. The same God who dwelt in the tent also drove out the nations.
The 'with Jesus' is the TYPOLOGICAL connection that Stephen builds on: the Greek name Iēsous is BOTH Joshua and Jesus. The Old Testament Joshua brought the tabernacle into the land. The New Testament Jesus brings God's presence into the world. The name-connection isn't accidental. Joshua PREFIGURES Jesus. The conquest-leader who carried the tent into the land foreshadows the Savior who carries God's presence into humanity.
The 'possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out' makes the conquest DIVINE ACTION: Israel didn't conquer Canaan on their own. GOD drove out the inhabitants. The dispossessing was God's work. The possessing was God's gift. The land became available because God MADE it available — by removing the nations that occupied it. The military victories were divine victories executed through human soldiers.
The 'unto the days of David' traces the Tabernacle's timeline: from the wilderness (verse 44), through the conquest (verse 45), until DAVID (who wanted to build a permanent house — verse 46). The portable tent served God's people for CENTURIES before anyone thought to build a permanent structure. The mobility was the design. The permanence was the LATER addition. God dwelt in the tent for the LONGER period.
What has God cleared FOR you that your 'tent' — your mobile expression of His presence — is entering?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Which also our fathers that came after,.... Who came after those that died in the wilderness, and never saw nor entered…
Our fathers that came after - None of the generation that came out of Egypt were permitted to enter into the and of…
Brought in with Jesus - That is, with Joshua, whom the Greek version, quoted by St. Stephen, always writes Ιησους,…
Two things we have in these verses: -
I. Stephen upbraids them with the idolatry of their fathers, which God gave them…
Which also our fathers that came after Better, having received it after. For all the generation that came out of Egypt…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture