Acts 7:18

Afrikaans Bible (ABA) 2007 (Bybel vir almal)

'n Ander man het later koning geword in Egipte. Hy het nie vir Josef geken nie.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Acts tells us that after Joseph's time in Egypt, a new king came to power who didn't know about or remember Joseph and the good things he had done for Egypt. Stephen is speaking here as part of his speech before the Sanhedrin.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're really helpful at school and help your teacher with lots of stuff. But then, a new teacher comes in who doesn’t know anything about what you did before. That's kind of like what happened to Joseph’s family after he died.

Historical Background

The Book of Acts was written by Luke around 60-80 AD. It records the history of the early Christian church, including Stephen's speech defending Christianity against accusations from Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.

Living It Out Today

In today’s world, this can relate to how new managers or leaders might not value past contributions if they’re unaware of them. For example, a new boss at work may overlook your efforts because they don’t know about previous projects you’ve led.

Topics

• history
• leadership
• forgiveness
• legacy
• memory
• oblivion

Related Verses

• Genesis 50:23
• Exodus 1:8
• Matthew 2:20-21
• Hebrews 11:22
• Romans 9:7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Joseph in this context?

Joseph was a key figure who saved Egypt and his family during a famine. The new king's ignorance about him highlights how quickly people can forget past contributions.

Why did the new king not know Joseph?

The passage suggests that time had passed since Joseph's era, and likely there was no record of him among the new ruler’s knowledge or history.

How does this relate to the story in Exodus?

This sets up the background for why later pharaohs in Exodus could oppress Joseph's descendants without knowing their past contributions, leading to the Israelites' enslavement.

What can we learn from this verse about leadership?

Leaders should be aware of and value previous accomplishments. Ignoring history can lead to poor decisions and loss of trust among those they lead.