Acts 7:39
New International Version (NIV)
39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt."
There I was minding my own business re-reading the 1st half of the book of Acts. I had just had "two weeks off of" our series at Renaissance for Palm Sunday and Easter and was reviewing what we had covered so far before jumping back in to Chapter 15.[Yes we Baptists can do an entire Lent Season in two short sermons!We don't want anyone accusing us of becoming contemplative or something!]
While powering through 14 Chapters the verse I've posted above really jumped me. Stephen is saying his famous last words. While his audience are scanning their minds to figure out where the nearest thow-able rock pile was in the area, Stephen does his "Walk through the Bible" proclamation. That verse is right after the Exodus section.
The NIV translation team did a wonderful job on that last phrase I think. It spoke to me much more than the familiar: "they wished to return".
When I read
...in their hearts returned to Egypt."
I suddenly thought that a person can live in Egypt without ever moving there.
Where are you living (heart wise) today?
Lord, be THOU my vision.
