The concept of Christ as a "stone of stumbling" is deeply rooted in biblical prophecy and is a significant theme in both the Old and New Testaments. This metaphor illustrates the paradoxical role of Jesus Christ in relation to the Jewish people, highlighting both His foundational importance and the offense He caused to those who rejected Him.

Old Testament Prophecies

The imagery of a stone is first introduced in the Old Testament, where it serves as a symbol of strength, foundation, and sometimes, offense. The prophet Isaiah provides a foundational prophecy concerning the Messiah as a stone. In Isaiah 8:14-15, it is written: "He will be a sanctuary, but to both houses of Israel He will be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be ensnared and captured."

Isaiah further elaborates on this theme in Isaiah 28:16: "So this is what the Lord GOD says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.'" This prophecy not only predicts the coming of a cornerstone but also implies that belief in this cornerstone is crucial for stability and salvation.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament writers, particularly the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter, interpret these prophecies as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In Romans 9:32-33, Paul explains why Israel did not attain righteousness: "Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the 'stumbling stone.' As it is written: 'See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.'"

Peter echoes this interpretation in 1 Peter 2:6-8, where he combines several Old Testament references: "For it stands in Scripture: 'See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.' To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and, 'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.' They stumble because they disobey the message—and to this they were appointed."

Theological Implications

The metaphor of Christ as a stone of stumbling underscores the dual nature of His mission. For those who accept Him, He is the cornerstone of faith, the foundation upon which their spiritual lives are built. However, for those who reject Him, particularly among the Jewish people of His time, He becomes a stumbling block, a source of offense and division.

This theme is not only a reflection of the historical rejection of Jesus by many in Israel but also serves as a broader spiritual lesson. It highlights the necessity of faith and the dangers of relying solely on works or heritage for righteousness. The prophecies and their fulfillment in Christ emphasize the transformative power of belief and the consequences of unbelief.

Conclusion

The prophetic depiction of Christ as a stone of stumbling is a profound element of biblical theology, illustrating the complex relationship between Jesus and the Jewish people. It serves as a reminder of the centrality of faith in Christ as the cornerstone of salvation and the potential for offense when He is rejected.Isaiah 8:14
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
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The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... are foolish, so our own language respecting him is ... Spirit is the true Jehovah who
dictated the prophecies. ... For ever since Christ was manifested in the flesh he ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... This concludes the oracular utterances respecting Rome ... After some other prophecies
we come to the mention of ... He calls Christ (ver.345) "the fair stone," against ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The Prayer of Faith.
... desirous of giving his disciples instructions respecting the nature ... There are many
prophecies yet unfulfilled, in the ... of Paul, and that of Christ just adverted ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture v the prayer of.htm

The Book of Enoch
... of a writing of Enoch respecting the reward ... The writer especially had studied the
prophecies of Daniel ... some portion of the truth concerning Christ's nature and ...
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A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. ... they have sinned
against him by not walking in his ways, and by not being obedient to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

How can I identify messianic prophecies in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

How many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.org

What biblical prophecies were fulfilled in AD 70? | GotQuestions.org

Prophecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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