STONE by Emma Humphrey

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 20, 1900

STONE

By Emma Humphrey

MRS. EMMA HUMPHREY. (Rock Falls, Ill.)

The word “stone” occurs many times in the Scriptures, in which it is used in both a literal and a figurative sense. It indicates durability and strength. How appropriate, therefore, that God should write his law upon such enduring substance!

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.” Ex. 24: 12. “And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” Ex. 31: 18.

Shall the “erring hand of man chip away, with the chisel of human reasoning, one single word graven on the enduring tables by the hand of the infinite God”? “The word of the Lord endureth forever.” 1 Peter 1: 25.

But did not Christ introduce a “new departure” after his resurrection? If he did, then the word of the Lord does not endure forever, and is, therefore, not to be relied upon; but we know that there is no conflict between the Father and the Son. What the Father says the Son reveals. Christ said, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” John 7: 16. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5: 17, 18. “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16: 17. A more comprehensive statement of the durability of God’s law could not be made. Easier for heaven and earth to pass than for one word, yes, the smallest dot used in forming a word, to pass from the law!

Stone was also used in erecting monuments to commemorate events. “Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, . . . and there shalt thou build an altar unto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones. . . . Thou shalt build the altar of the Lord thy God of whole stones.” Deut. 27: 4, 6. “And Joshua . . . took a great stone, and set it up, . . . and Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; . . . a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.” Joshua 24: 26, 27. “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” 1 Sam. 7: 12.

“And David . . . set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God” (1 Chron. 22: 2), and prepared “onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistening stones, and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.” 1 Chron. 29: 2. “And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.” 1 Kings 5: 17.

There was to be no inferior work in the house of God. Every stone must be perfect, chosen for its durability, strength, or beauty, a type of the precious stones to be used in the glorious structure of the Christian church. “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.” Isa. 28: 16. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3: 11. “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt. 16: 18), “Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” Eph. 2: 20. “If so be that ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2: 3–5.

What kind of material are we using to build God’s house? Is it whole stones, hewn stones, tried stones, precious stones? or have we tried to build with material inferior to stone? “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” 1 Cor. 3: 12, 13. “Let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” 1 Cor. 3: 10. “And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.” Zech. 9: 16. “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.” Mal. 3: 17.