Stephen stood under the accusation of blasphemy against both Moses and the law. That is why he emphasized five times in his defense, using the demonstrative pronoun “this”, that Moses had a unique position before God, which no other man ever had in the Old Testament. The Most High had spoken to him personally (verses 35, 36, 37, 38, 40). Moses was the mediator of the Old Testament. He had, under the danger of death, climbed the volcano shooting lava and smoke, where he met the angel of the Lord.
Stephen referred to the law, which Moses received from God, as “living oracles” flowing from the heart of God, which were delivered by the angel’s hand to the representative of the covenant people. Stephen did not call the law a destructive, dead letter, but a guide to life, a stream flowing out of God’s holiness. He who observes the law lives forever.
Stephen was concerned, for rather than magnifying Moses and glorifying the law before the high council, he wanted to clarify to them that neither he nor the Christian church had ever denied the mediator of the Old Testament. They had never blasphemed against him. The people of Israel, themselves, had denied him several times and continued denying him. They were the people of disobedience. Stephen clarified, at the beginning of his speech, that the slaves in Egypt had not understood Moses, and had tried to get rid of him. He had had to flee because his people rejected his help. Yet God had appointed him to be the leader of those who rejected Him, and had made him successful in opposing their stubbornness.
When the chosen one came to God to receive the law of the covenant, his followers forsook him, and turned their hearts away from the Lord. They set their thoughts on luxurious life, and preferred to worship the golden calf rather than waiting for their mediator, who was delayed in coming back from his meeting with God.
This sermon, which Stephen delivered during his defense, is full of spiritual significance. Just as Moses was out of sight with God for a long time, and returned to confirm his people of the Old Testament, so Christ is out of sight today with His heavenly Father. He will return in due season and spread His peace on earth. The Jews at that time did not trust their leader, just as men today do not trust Christ. Instead, they dance around the golden calf of welfare. They speak about technology and deadly weapons, boasting of their possessions and rockets, without seeing God, or recognizing that His judgment is coming upon them like an approaching black cloud.
Stephen showed his judges that it was God’s judgment that cast Israel into captivity, for they had forsaken Him. This judgment did not happen all at once, but gradually. The Lord broke with the covenant people after they fell into idolatry, became covetous, trusted in Astrology, and worshiped at places where demonic spirits dwelled. They worshiped all the deities in their surroundings and were open to every bright new idea or thing that thrilled their eyes. They deemed it good not to retain the knowledge of the invisible God, and therefore chose not to obey the voice of His Holy Spirit speaking in their consciences. This is the essential cause of all judgment. Do you hear God and His word? Do you do His will with a glad heart, immediately and completely?
Stephen referred his listeners (in verse 37) to the great expectation which Moses had opened to them. God would raise up a prophet from among them that would be like Moses, who, as a mediator, would direct the hearts of his followers towards the divine favors and powers. Every hearer in the high council knew that this old promise was a reference of Moses to the coming Christ. This coming prophet would establish a new covenant, confirm His followers in an excellent way, and bring them into community with God. This prophecy was known to the Christians, including Stephen, who understood this verse to be a reference to Jesus.
In this manner Stephen defended his position towards Moses and the law. He condemned, at the same time, the continuous disobedience of his people, and guided them to Christ, in whom rested the unique hope of fulfillment for the law and the establishment of a new covenant. This strong defense of Stephen made clear, at the same time, that a clear preaching gift of the Holy Spirit had been given to the humble speaker.