44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, 45 which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, 46 who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built Him a house.
With verses 44-50, Stephen drew to a close his defense against the Sanhedrin’s charges against him.
In verses 44-46, Stephen told of the building of the temporary tabernacle.
7:44
“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed,
God divinely ordered the building of the tabernacle while Israel was in the wilderness. The tabernacle was a portable place of worship that God “appointed.” The design allowed Israel to transport it throughout their journeys.
instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen,
At the same time that God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle of worship, Israel told Aaron to make an idol of a golden calf.
7:45
which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles,
Israel carried the tabernacle into the Promised Land.
whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David,
The tabernacle remained in the Promised Land through David’s reign.
7:46
who [David] found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling [habitation] for the God of Jacob.
David prayed that God would provide a permanent place for worship.
7:47
But Solomon built Him a house.
David desired to build a permanent residence for God’s house (Temple), but He gave that right to his son Solomon.
PRINCIPLE:
Worship is more than cold rites of religion.
APPLICATION:
Worship is more than an exercise in physical senses. Some religious leaders manipulate God into their own image by creating forms of religion. We cannot confine God to a man-made building. It is confusing to worship the establishment of God but not God Himself. Worship of something physical is idolatry. We cannot confine God to something limited and finite.
