17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
17 "As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.
17 "But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt
17 "When the four hundred years were nearly up, the time God promised Abraham for deliverance, the population of our people in Egypt had become very large.
17 "But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt
17 "As the time drew near when God would fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 7:17
Commentary on Acts 7:17-29
(Read Acts 7:17-29)
Let us not be discouraged at the slowness of the fulfilling of God's promises. Suffering times often are growing times with the church. God is preparing for his people's deliverance, when their day is darkest, and their distress deepest. Moses was exceeding fair, "fair toward God;" it is the beauty of holiness which is in God's sight of great price. He was wonderfully preserved in his infancy; for God will take special care of those of whom he designs to make special use. And did he thus protect the child Moses? Much more will he secure the interests of his holy child Jesus, from the enemies who are gathered together against him. They persecuted Stephen for disputing in defence of Christ and his gospel: in opposition to these they set up Moses and his law. They may understand, if they do not wilfully shut their eyes against the light, that God will, by this Jesus, deliver them out of a worse slavery than that of Egypt. Although men prolong their own miseries, yet the Lord will take care of his servants, and effect his own designs of mercy.