Thayer Thursday – The Rejected Stone
Whenever you read an Old Testament quote in the New Testament, the first thing you should do is read that section of scripture in its Old Testament Context. Why? Because when New Testament writers quote the Old Testament, they assume much of its surrounding context – impregnating their words with greater meaning than is visible to us on first glance. In the passage of scripture that Ron preaches on this week, 1 Peter 2:4-8, there are 3 Old Testament quotes. Verse 6 quotes Isaiah 28:16, verse 7 quotes Psalm 118:22, and verse 8 quotes Isaiah 8:14 (you can find this information in any good study Bible which will have cross reference information – usually printed on the inside margin of the pages).
Sermon: “Rejected Stones” (audio/video = HERE)
Isaiah 28 is a passage of scripture that is written about both the Northern and Southern Kingdom of Israel. The Northern Kingdom was about to be destroyed by Assyria, and the Southern Kingdom had probably made some sort of an alliance with Egypt in order to save their skin. However, Isaiah tells them that unless they trust Yahweh (and not their alliance) they will ultimately be destroyed. An agreement with a foreign nation can be annulled (28:18), but a foundation on Yahweh is everlasting (28:16).
Psalm 118:22 is a verse that is set in the middle of a Psalm praising God for the deliverance of a king through a battle. Verse 22 is other people joining the king in his praise of God, recognizing that though their king looked like he was going to be rejected, he was ultimately vindicated and saved by God. He was rejected by others, but made to be the chief cornerstone.
Isaiah 8 takes place within the same general circumstances as Isaiah 28. However, in this context, Isaiah says that because Israel and Judah (the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel) are not trusting in Yahweh, He is going to be a stone that makes them stumble and a rock that makes them fall.
So what can the context of these three quotations show us? First, it shows us the level that Peter puts Jesus on. He doesn’t simply identify Jesus as a man, but instead equates Him with being not only the King (Psalm 118), but also with God Himself (Isaiah 28 & 8). Second, the idea of deliverance of a remnant – of those who are faithful to Yahweh – is found in all of these Old Testament quotations. These set up Peter’s point to his readers that though they were once not a people, they are now the people of God. Those who trust in Jesus are the remnant. Their belief shows that they trust God and because they trust Him in and through Jesus, He will be their Rock. He is going to be their foundation. However, those who don’t believe in Jesus, the living Stone, are going to fall, literally tripping over Him.
Chris Thayer
Categories: Biblical Theology, Blog, Hebrew Bible, New Testament