Connecting Point: No Stone Left Unturned

Within the pages of the Bible, there are particular passages that leave us with questions. For the “brightest” and “best” scholars or the average Christian there is some common criteria used for proper Bible interpretation. Step one; understand the

original author’s intent, context, and cultural background. Step two; understand the genre of Scripture; Narrative/Historical, Prophecy, Epistle, Wisdom, Poetry, and Apocalyptic. Step three; carefully

determine the proper application. Many general principles taught by the original author can be brought into the modern day; however, there are some which do not apply. We must look at everything through a “Gospel lens” meaning, what are the implications

resulting from the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; he in fact became the ultimate sacrifice fulfilling the law and to whom our hope of salvation is found.

Solomon’s writings in Ecclesiastes are considered to be a book of wisdom, advice, and observations we can lean upon. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,5a). This is somewhat of a peculiar verse; in studying here are some viewpoints as far as interpretation: One, building practices of removing stones and replacing them in order for construction. Two, farming practices of clearing a field for crop production and fence/barrier building. Some scholars also note in ancient times there was a practice of scattering stones on an enemy’s field to impede farming. Third, the casting of stones is referring to judgement/exclusion of individuals due to verb use in various other Old Testament passages and the Mosaic Law.

All three options hermeneutically have merit; contextually building and farming are sound interpretations. A few New Testament teachings come to my mind including Mark 13:1-2, “As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look,

Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’ ‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.’” Jesus was referring to the final destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Over the course of history Jerusalem’s temple has only been destroyed twice, once by the Babylonians in 422 B.C. and the other time in 70 A.D. by the Romans. Looking further at Mark 13 and Matthew 24 we are waiting for this destruction to occur again in the future, that event will be unparalleled to the previous two occurrences.

Option three, judgment/exclusion of others is quite intriguing due to Jesus addressing the crowd; specifically, the Pharisees' who piously paraded the adulterous women into the streets, excluding the man in question (John 8). They sought to have her stoned to death, as was a cultural custom. However, Christ’s boldness put that wanted spectacle to rest by stating truth, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her,” (John 8:8). The crowd dispersed and Jesus showed her great compassion, encouraging her to leave her life of sin.

In life, there is a time and purpose for everything. I hope that we can have the mind of Christ and each time we see a memorial stone or some sort of stone construction remember to share the Gospel with others leaving no stone unturned.