Rock On: A Bible Quiz About Stones -- #3

Answer: Solomon

Solomon is the correct answer. 1 Kings 5:15-17 tells of Solomon hiring a workforce of eighty thousand men who quarried stones in the mountains. The men were given orders to quarry "large stones, costly stones and hewn stones to lay the foundation of the temple."

Construction of the temple was an unfulfilled dream of David, Solomon's father. After David's death, Solomon became king and he took decisive action to build the temple, Scripture states.

Answer: Jacob

Jacob set up a commemorative pillar of stones on the grave of his wife Rachel. According to Scripture, Rachel died giving birth to her second son, Benjamin. Her first son was Joseph.

Details about Rachel's death as well as Jacob setting up the commemorative pillar on her grave are found in Genesis 35:16-22. Incidentally, Genesis 35:9-15 tells of Jacob setting up a commemorative pillar of stones at Bethel after the LORD announced his new name would be Israel.

Answer: God

The ten commandments were inscribed into two tablets of stone by God, according to Scripture. Exodus 20 states a first set of tablets containing the ten commandments had been created. However, Exodus 32:19 states Moses broke the two tablets when he threw them in anger after returning from his visit with the LORD and saw the Israelites worshiping a golden calf.

When Moses returned to meet with the LORD a second set of tablets was produced.

Exodus 34:1, in the NKJKV states: "And the LORD said to Moses, 'Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke'."

Answer: Aaron

Aaron, who was a high priest, is the correct answer, as per Exodus 28:5-12. The passage contains explicit instructions from the LORD pertaining to a priestly garment that was to be worn by the high priest. Verse 10 and 11 provides information about the stones that were to be part of the garment. According to the two verses, two onyx stones were to be engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel with six names on one stone and six names on a second stone. Scripture goes on to state the stones were to be set in sittings of gold on an ephod worn by the high priest. According to Verse 12, the stones were to be featured on the shoulders of the ephod.

Answer: Isaiah

Isaiah is the correct answer, as per Isaiah 54:12. While the prophet Isaiah issued a number of dire warnings to the Israelites about hardtimes and suffering ahead, he also offered words of comfort. Isaiah 54 is an example of better times ahead for the Israelites with the entire chapter commenting about a perpetual covenant of peace.

In Verses 11-13, Isaiah prophesies in the NKJV, "Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children."

Answer: Ezekiel

Ezekiel is the correct answer, as per Ezekiel 28:11-13. His comments about a wide variety of precious stones adorning the king of Tyre appears in a passage that is a lamentation regarding the king. The lamentation runs from Verse 11 to 19. According to the lamentation, the king of Tyre was adorned with sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.

To paraphrase the lamentation, Ezekiel states the king of Tyre has enjoyed a life of opulence and splendor, but he has become "a horror and shall be no more forever."

Answer: Jesus

Jesus, of course, is the correct answer. In Mark 3:1-2, Christ predicted the destruction of the temple while accompanied by Peter, Andrew, James and John. The temple was regarded as an architectural wonder in its days and Christ's statement no doubt startled the four disciples.

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state Christ's prophecy about the destruction of the temple came true in AD70 when the Roman General Titus destroyed much of Jerusalem, including the temple.

Answer: pearls

Jesus said pearls should not be cast before swine, as per Matthew 7:6. Out of a large number of statements attributed to Jesus, His comment that pearls should not be cast before swine is one of the most famous. Verse 7 in the NKJV reads: "'Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces'."

The verse is interpreted by many to mean do not persist in offering what is sacred or of value to those who have no appreciation of it. As the website Bible.ca explains, when you cast your pearls before swine "your gift will not only be contaminated and despised, your generous efforts could also be rebuffed and perhaps openly attacked."

Answer: New Jerusalem

New Jerusalem is the correct answer, as per Revelation 21:19-20. The verses state the foundation of the wall of the future city will be adorned with "all kinds of precious stones." The precious stones, according to the NKJV, are to include jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst. Scripture goes on to state the city will have twelve gates of pearl with each individual gate consisting of one pearl. On top of this, the New Jerusalem is to have streets of "pure gold, like transparent glass."

Answer: Peter

Peter is the correct answer. Details about his appearance before the Sanhedrin can be found in Acts 4:5-22. Peter, as well as John, were ordered to appear before the Sanhedrin after they miraculously healed an unnamed crippled man, as per Acts 3.

In his presentation to the Sanhedrin, Acts 4:11 quotes Peter as saying Jesus is the "stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone."

In the following verse, Peter states salvation is through Christ only "for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Peter's comments about Jesus being the chief cornerstone is in reference to Psalm 118:22, according to notes in the NKJV Study Bible.