Uncut Stones

What would you rather have, an uncut gem stone or a beautifully cut gem? If you are a man, which would you give to your wife? If you are a woman, which would you prefer to receive?

I think we would all agree that an uncut gem stone is relatively unimpressive. It doesn’t have the value or eye appeal that a cut or polished stone has.

Which do you think God would like best?

You might be wondering if that is relevant question. However, I have a reason for asking because there is a connection that will profoundly impact our attitude toward God and his things.

God instructed Joshua, the leader of Israel, to build an altar for the offering of animal sacrifices. God specifically instructed Joshua to use uncut stones (Joshua 8:31). Joshua was actually carrying out instruction from the Law of Moses:

If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 

 —Exodus 20:25

To profane something is to make it common or unholy.

Surely, you see the connection. It is not about what God likes, as if He thinks uncut stones have more eye appeal. God knew that stones that bore the design and work of men would attract the attention of men and distract from God. The uncut stones are the design of the Creator; cut stones, the design of man.

Shortly after Israel was freed from Egypt, God instructed Moses in the building of a tabernacle. God called it “a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them [Israel]” (Exodus 25:9).

One might think that the tabernacle would have been profaned by the people who did the actual work. But God had a solution:

I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. 

—Exodus 31:3-5

When a person saw the tabernacle and all that was in it, he knew at a glance that it was the work of God. It was God’s design and the builders were given extraordinary knowledge and skill by the Holy Spirit.

New Testament Christianity was built, so to speak, with uncut stones: no prayer cloths or candles, no statues or stained glass, no musical instruments, no elaborate buildings, no artwork, and no special garments for leaders. All of these things are of men, not God. So, they tend to glorify their maker...man.

We see uncut stones as plain and unimpressive. So, we like to polish the stones, that is, make things more desirable to our senses. Yet, we can learn from God’s point of view as Paul described the ministry of the gospel:

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. 

 —2 Corinthians 4:7

God is glorified in the things of His design. When man wields his tool on the things of God, they are profaned and man is glorified. The same applies to man himself. God made man in His own image, a kind of uncut stone. Yet man went beyond God’s design when he sinned. In doing so he profaned himself, making himself unholy. Through Christ God is transforming us into His image, that which is holy and glorious.

Mark Stinnett

March 20, 2022