THE ROCK OF AGES

PASTOR STEVE THOMAS

Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

0 ratings

· 12 views

Notes

Transcript

The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition Stone

STONE. The chief biblical words are Heb. ’eḇen and Gk. lithos and akrogōniaios (‘cornerstone’).

The common word ‘stone’ is used in the Bible with a variety of reference. Small stones made a convenient weapon (1 Sa. 17:40), were a means of attack and even execution (Nu. 35:17; cf. Jn. 8:59; Acts 7:58f.), formed a handy measure of weight (Lv. 19:36, where ’eḇen is so translated), and were used, when sharpened, as knives (Ex. 4:25). Larger stones were used to cover wells (Gn. 29:2), to close the mouth of caves (Jos. 10:18) and of tombs (Mt. 27:60), to serve as a landmark (2 Sa. 20:8), as a memorial (Jos. 4:20ff.), and as a pillar or altar which had specifically religious associations (Gn. 28:18; Dt. 27:5). Stones were also, of course, a primary building material.

The New King James Version Chapter 4

The Memorial Stones

4 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’ ”

4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the LORD had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. 9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 8

3. scribes and Pharisees—foiled in their yesterday’s attempt, and hoping to succeed better in this

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

11 She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

“I Am the Light of the World”

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

The New King James Version. (1982). (Jn 8:1–12). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 8

10. Woman, &c.—What inimitable tenderness and grace! Conscious of her own guilt, and till now in the hands of men who had talked of stoning her, wondering at the skill with which her accusers had been dispersed, and the grace of the few words addressed to herself, she would be disposed to listen, with a reverence and teachableness before unknown, to our Lord’s admonition. “And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more.” He pronounces no pardon upon the woman (such as, “Thy sins are forgiven thee” [compare Lu 5:28; 7:48]—“Go in peace” [compare Mk 5:34; Lu 7:50; 8:48]), much less does He say that she had done nothing condemnable; He simply leaves the matter where it was. He meddles not with the magistrate’s office, nor acts the Judge in any sense (Jn 12:47). But in saying, “Go and sin no more,” which had been before said to one who undoubtedly believed (Jn 5:14), more is probably implied than expressed. If brought suddenly to conviction of sin, admiration of her Deliverer, and a willingness to be admonished and guided by Him, this call to begin a new life may have carried with it what would ensure and naturally bring about a permanent change. (This whole narrative is wanting in some of the earliest and most valuable manuscripts, and those which have it vary to some extent. The internal evidence in its favor is almost overpowering. It is easy to account for its omission, though genuine; but if not so, it is next to impossible to account for its insertion).