Significance (preciousness) symbolized by a stone
The onyx stone is the first stone mentioned, Gen 2:12. It is always linked with preciousness and gold as far as I can tell.
– in Ex 28, onyx stones are on the shoulders of the high priest with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel written on them. One of the stones on the breast was also an onyx stone.
– in 1Chron. the onyx stone is used in the temple.
-Revelation 21:19-20 is the last mention of stones. It relates to the foundations of the wall of the new Jerusalem. This city is specially prepared for the Lamb’s bride.
* Lesson: We can learn from this that we are precious to God, significant and remembered in the sight of our Great High Priest.
The symbolism of a stone
In Genesis 28:11-22, a stone was a symbol to Jacob: a pillar of remembrance about the promise he had made and the God he had found.
* Lesson: It is good for us to set up “stones of remembrance”: reminders to us of our commitment to God and of God’s dealings with us.
The sharpness of a stone
In Exod 4:25, a sharp stone was used in circumcision. This was a cutting off of the flesh, and an indication that God’s people were separated to Him and not like the nations. It was done just after birth.
* Lesson: After we are saved, we are separated to God, and thus should not be like the world. It may be a painful thing to give up the fleshly lusts and worldly pleasures, but God requires that these be cut away from us and that we live lives holy to Him, in keeping with His character and calling.
Stones used in sacrifice
In Exodus 20:25, we are told that if stones are used for sacrifice, they were not to be cut and modified by men.
* Lesson: our worship should be natural and from the heart, not put on as a show for others to see.
Sight of heaven
In Exodus 24:10, we are given a glimpse into heaven, and see under God’s feet the likeness of blue saphire stone.
Statutes in stone
In Exodus 24:12, God wrote the law on two tables of stone.
In Hebrews 10:16, this is contrasted in that God’s law is placed in the hearts of God’s people.
*Lesson: Stone is firm and enduring. God wants His people to have His laws firmly and forever implanted upon their heart.
Service of a stone
In 1Samuel 17:40, David puts a stone to good use when he uses it in his sling to kill the giant. He choose a smooth stone, one that had been tumbling down the stream for some time, molded just into the right shape and size.
* Lesson: The trials and difficulties of life are molding us into men and women who can be better used for God. Then He can reach down into the water of our experience and put us in His sling to wing His word into the minds of those who need it!
State of a stone: a sanctuary in ruins
In Matthew 24:2, the Lord speaks of the state the temple would be in after Jerusalem was destroyed: not one stone would be left upon another.
* Lesson: Perhaps the state of the temple stones symbolized the state of the nation after they rejected their Messiah. How important it is to receive Him! There can be no worship or pleasure given to God without it.
Speaking stones
In Matthew 3:9, John the baptist says that God is able to raise up children to Abraham “[out] of these stones”. In Luke 19:40, the Lord speaks of stones crying out in praise.
* Lesson: Here we see too unnatural things linked with stones: birth and praise. We need a second birth to be able to speak unnatural praise that we could not do in our stone-dead state. 1Peter 2:5 reminds us we are living stones who can offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Sepulchre stone
In Matthew 28:1-2, the stone had been rolled away from the tomb of the Lord Jesus.
* Lesson: Nothing could prevent the Lord’s resurrection, and that which they used to seek to prevent the disappearance of the body only helped to prove that He indeed is risen!
Supreme Corner stone or Stone of Stumbling
In 1 Peter 2:4-8, we read of Christ who is the chief Corner Stone, precious to God and to His people. But to those who reject Him and stumble over Him, He is a crushing stone of judgment.
* Lesson: Christ is our life and we live in Him. He holds us together. He is our foundation and basis. We are integrally connected to Him, a part of His body. He is precious to us. Yet those who do not see Him this way have only judgment before them. May we seek to turn them to the Savior, our Rock and Corner Stone.
Special Significance on a stone
In Revelation 2:17, we read of the promise given to the overcomer of a name written on a white stone, which only the recipient and the LORD know.
* Lesson: I like to think of this as signifying to us the special, intimate relationship that the Lord has with each individual personally. A brother once said, “I have a whole Christ all to myself”. Each of us should desire that close, individual, intimate relationship with Him who died for us upon that tree.