26 August Psalm 118

The Stone that the builders rejected

Psalm 118:22(NIV) states: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

The Jewish people have applied this reference to Abraham, David, and the Messiah. In the original Old Testament context, the rejected stone probably represents Israel. Israel was small, despised, hated, and held in contempt by the Gentile nations. The builders in this context are the empire builders of the day, who enjoyed prominence and sought extraordinary political success.

God destined Israel for a chief place according to His purpose. He chose Israel out of love to accomplish His eternal purpose. The purpose of God for Israel is fulfilled in the work of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The rejected stone mentioned in this Psalm finds its fulfilment in Jesus.

This fulfilment is confirmed in Acts 4:11-12(NIV), where it is described: Jesus is “’the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:4-8(NLT) elaborates: You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.”

Even though the world has rejected Jesus as the Saviour and Messiah, we have this promise: when we come to Him in faith, He will accept us as His own.

I conclude with Philippians 2:9-11(NLT) Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.