Stephen is letting the religious leaders of the day have it! He reminds them of all the mistakes they made missing out on the prophets God sent to speak to His people even persecuting them. He calls them stiff-necked people, implying that they ignored God’s voice and His plan in there’s lives. They refused to even turn their head and look towards the one true God for their salvation which makes sense why he also tells them that their heart and ears have yet to be circumcised. Their ears have not been given over to God so nothing has gone in to reach their heart. Therefore God’s Holy Spirit which He left to council and comfort us could not change them. This is a reminder to me today that when I resist God’s Holy Spirit I am in fact acting just as the religious leaders of the day did. I am stiff-necked not listening and allowing God’s Spirit to penetrate my heart. God please forgive me and may I be more obedient to your Spirit today.

Acts 7:51