Saturday, March 17, 2007

Gettin' Stoned... It Rocks

In preparation for the tomorrow morning's message, I've been doing some research on the appearance of rocks/stones in the Bible.

I would say rocks rival bread and water as the most often used "prop" in the Bible...
  • The law written on STONE TABLETS. (Ex. 24:11-13)
  • The Priestly garments were adorned with STONES to represent the 12 tribes (Ex. 28:6-20)
  • Joshua and the Israelites build a monument with 12 STONES after crossing the Jordan (Joshua4:7-21)
  • Samuel named a STONE "Ebenezar"as a remembrance of God. (I Sam. 67:11-13)
  • Elijah built his alter with 12 STONES when taking on the prophets of Baal. (I Kings 18:31)
  • David took 5 STONES from the stream, and killed goliath with one of them. (I Samuel 17:40)
  • God says that through his spirit he can take a heart of STONE and turn it into a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26)
  • The wise man built his house upon the ROCK. (Matthew 7:24-26)
  • Jesus said that if the disciples didn't praise his name, the ROCKS would cry out. (Luke 19:40)
  • Jesus named Simon Peter (Petra... rock), told him he would build his church on that ROCK. (Matthew 6:18)
  • Jesus said if you lead a child astray, you might as well tie a millSTONE around your neck and be thrown in the se. (Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2)
  • Jesus looked at a crowd ready to condemn the woman caught in adultery and said, "He who is without sin throw the first stone." (John 8:7)
  • Stephen was the first martyr; STONEd to death. (Acts 7)
  • The STONE that the builders rejected has become the cornerSTONE. (Psalm 118:22; then quoted in Matt. 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:`7, Acts 4:11, I Peter 2:17)
  • The resurrection was proclaimed through a giant STONE being rolled away. (Luke 24:2)
I'm sure I've not even come close to all the significant metaphoric and literal moments God used stones to bring his story to life, but one thing is for sure... the most inanimate object in the world still brings vibrant life to the reality of God and his desire for relationship with us.

So what other rock/stone moments am I missing???

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