4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7Unto 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, (1 Peter 2:4‑7)In 1 Peter 2:44To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, (1 Peter 2:4) the Lord Jesus is precious to God. In the seventh verse, we who believe find Him precious also. We value what God values. How precious is He to us? The preciousness of an object is derived from the value placed upon it.
Persons (Lev. 27:1-81And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the Lord by thy estimation. 3And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary. 4And if it be a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels. 5And if it be from five years old even unto twenty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. 6And if it be from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation shall be three shekels of silver. 7And if it be from sixty years old and above; if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels. 8But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him. (Leviticus 27:1‑8))
1And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the Lord by thy estimation. 3And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary. 4And if it be a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels. 5And if it be from five years old even unto twenty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. 6And if it be from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation shall be three shekels of silver. 7And if it be from sixty years old and above; if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels. 8But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him. (Leviticus 27:1‑8)Under the law of Moses, persons had various values according to their age and usefulness. You will notice that the female was valued less than the male. Perhaps it is because the male is representative of Christ and the female of ourselves. Surely He has more value than we!
The greatest value was placed on those between the ages of twenty and sixty. These were in active service. They could produce the most and were most valiant in battle.
The Apostle Paul's admonition in 2 Tim. 2:22And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2) shows us how these age groups fit together at the present time. "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." There are young ones needing to be taught. There are experienced ones able to teach. It is so important that these teach those in the assembly who are younger and that the younger apply themselves to learn and practice the truth that has been held and practiced for many years.
As Paul was the aged apostle who gave this advice to a younger brother, it seems that this scripture ought to be a special concern to those who are older, not to dominate, but to encourage their younger brethren.
Certain things are necessary for our lives and Scripture tells us what they are: "having food and raiment, let us be therewith content." 1 Tim. 6:88And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (1 Timothy 6:8). It is the desire for wealth, power or position that drowns men in destruction. How many have ruined their testimony and "pierced themselves through with many sorrows" because they lusted after things.