Divine Selection vs. Human Rejection: A Biblical Paradox
In this article, you will learn how 1 Peter 2:4 contradicts Exodus 20:25, Acts 4:11, Matthew 21:42 and Isaiah 28:16. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The Bible offers rich imagery when it speaks of Jesus as the "stone," but various passages present seemingly contradictory perspectives on this metaphor. In 1 Peter 2:4, Peter describes Jesus as a "living stone," precious and chosen by God, even if rejected by people. This underscores the idea that God sees value where humans often do not.
Yet, this imagery contrasts sharply with Exodus 20:25, which warns against using hewn stones for altars. This implies a preference for untouched, natural stones rather than shaped ones, clashing with the specific selection described in 1 Peter 2:4. It's like preferring raw diamond over a polished gem, questioning the valuation of the "special, living stone."
Acts 4:11 further complicates this narrative. Here, Peter characterizes Jesus as the "stone" rejected by builders, yet this stone becomes the cornerstone. While this passage aligns with 1 Peter's theme of initial rejection, there’s an apparent tension: how can the ultimate cornerstone also remain unrecognized?
Matthew 21:42 adds another layer, where Jesus echoes His rejection yet simultaneously emerges as the cornerstone. The duality of divine selection and human oversight creates paradox, mirroring a misunderstood masterpiece finally acknowledged.
Another dimension appears in Isaiah 28:16: a description of a precious cornerstone laid by God, assuredly firm. This imagery seems more aligned with God's eternal plan, while 1 Peter 2:4 emphasizes man's oversight against divine choice. It’s akin to human blindness to a masterpiece hidden in plain sight.
This blend of rejection and selection poses intriguing questions: How does divine valuation reshape our understanding of worth? Can human rejection overshadow divine purpose? The stone, whether unhewn or cornerstone, becomes a mirror reflecting both divine sovereignty and human limitation. These contrasting images challenge readers to ponder the profound gap between human perception and divine reality.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1 Peter 2:4 | To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious, |
| 2. | Exodus 20:25 | And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. [build...: Heb. build them with hewing] |
| 3. | Acts 4:11 | This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. |
| 4. | Matthew 21:42 | Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? |
| 5. | Isaiah 28:16 | 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: he that believeth shall not make haste. |