Bible Reading Blog
“What Men Reject, God Uses”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Psalm 118
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” (Psalm 118.22)
When Solomon’s temple was being built, the stones were prepared in an off-site quarry (1 Kings 6.7). What this meant for construction was that every 20-ton stone had predetermined specification for its exact spot in the temple. From the very start, there was a plan for each stone and where it would go. According to a rabbinic traditional parable, the stone originally cut for the cornerstone was rejected by the builders because it was oddly shaped. However, as the temple project neared completion, they realized that stone perfectly fit the place for which it was designed.
Whether or not this is historically accurate, it is an appropriate foreshadowing of Jesus’ ministry. He came by the predetermined plan of God; and yet the majority of Jews rejected him, including the devout religious leaders (Acts 2.23). He was not the piece they were looking for.
This prophecy emphasizes an important pattern we see in scripture: what men reject, God uses. Consider Stephen’s gospel sermon in Acts 7: Joseph and Moses were both rejected by their people, and yet both men went on to save their people. In the same way, Jesus was rejected by men; but it happened by God’s will to bring about salvation (Isaiah 53.10-11; Acts 7.51-53). The Jews refused to accept it… but it was true. They rejected Jesus but according to God’s predetermined plan, Jesus became the chief cornerstone.
Why did God do this? It clearly distinguishes the work of God and man. “This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118.23). In fact, the gospel emphasizes the transcendent working of God. We should have been rejected as worthless, but God, through Christ, allows us to be useful. This prophecy sets the precedent for how God would create salvation: by taking what is rejected and using it to create salvation.
"Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4.11-12).
This prophecy of the rejected cornerstone is a reminder that we must not reject what God has determined. He has predestined us to life and adoption and eternal life; but it is not according to our plans or patterns (Ephesians 1). This means we must not overemphasize our human wisdom and logic (1 Corinthians 1.27-29). Instead, we must walk the path God has shown us through his word. We must press forward in faith, even though it may not seem right to you. God’s work and way will always transcend the bounds of what we see as best. And so, let’s not be wise in our own eyes, but accept the plans of God as he builds us into his house around Christ.
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house…” (1 Peter 2.4-5)
