Jehovah-Jesus, the Stumbling Stone and the Rock

From: Stones: November 2019 By: Clifford Henry Brown

• 1 min. read • grade level: 9

The Stumbling Stone

Of all the Old Testament prophets, perhaps Isaiah is the most noted for his many and detailed announcements regarding the coming of Messiah. Repeatedly he identifies this Messiah with Jehovah. Witness the following from Isaiah 8:13-15¹³Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. ¹⁴And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ¹⁵And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. (Isaiah 8:13‑15) and note the identity of this One with Jesus as recorded by Peter in his first epistle, 1 Peter 2:7-8⁷Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, ⁸And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (1 Peter 2:7‑8).

“Sanctify the Lord [Jehovah] of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He shall be for ... a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel. .... And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken.”

“Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient.”

How patent is the conclusion from the above comparison that Jesus is Jehovah!

The Rock

Another of the majestic titles of Jehovah in the Old Testament is “the Rock.” The same is applied unreservedly to Christ in the New Testament.

“I will publish the name of the Lord [Jehovah]: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment” (Deut. 32:3-4³Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. ⁴He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:3‑4)).

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4⁴And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4)).

Thus we see again that Jesus is Jehovah.

C. H. Brown

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