Actes 13:17-41

The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers.

The hours on the world’s clock

1. Moving slowly forward as the hours of the Eternal God, with whom a thousand years are as one day, and of the long suffering God, whose patience has borne with this perverse world, as it did with Israel for forty years in the wilderness.

2. But unceasingly progressing to the end appointed of God--of the world’s redemption, and the world’s judgment. (K. Gerok.)

The history of the kingdom of God

The history of the world in the light of the gospel transfigured into the history of the kingdom of God.

I. Its place is sketched out before in the eternal counsels of Divine wisdom, power, and love.

II. Its sections of time are stations on the progress of humanity to its destination.

III. Its heroes are the vassals of Christ, and willingly or unwillingly the servants of His kingdom.

IV. Its end is the glorification of God in humanity. (K. Gerok.)

The providence of God in the history of Israel

An encouraging type of the Divine government of mankind.

I. Wherein this providence is recognised.

1. In the history of Israel.

2. In the history of the world.

II. What influence the certainty of this Divine government should have upon us.

1. We should be comforted with the sure confidence that the issue of things will be the best.

2. We should do our part, in order that the Divine plan of salvation may be more and more realised. (Lisco.)

Christ, the world’s Saviour

I. Foretold in the old testament (Actes 13:16.)

II. Rejected by his people (Actes 13:26.)

III. Preached as the salvation of believers (Actes 13:30.)

(Lisco.)