A Dwelling Not Made by Hands

Stephen's Witness · Acts 7

Story guide: Illustration of the historical account in Stephen’s speech: Stephen recalls the tent of testimony before discussing the later house built by Solomon. The tent design is illustrative, not an exact reconstruction, and the image does not place Moses at the later Temple.

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44The tent of testimony was with our fathers in the wilderness, just as the one speaking to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen,

45which our fathers in turn brought in with Joshua at the dispossession of the nations that God drove out from before our fathers, until the days of David.

46who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

47But Solomon built a house for him.

48But the Most High does not dwell in things made by hands, just as the prophet says:

49Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?

50Did not my hand make all these things?

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