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Matthew 7:24-27

As we continue, Jesus concludes His teaching of the Jews on the hillside.

[Matthew 7:24-27]

Jesus is using one final illustration to show the Jews the choice that lies before them. Notice that once
again, the appeal is to each Jew individually; his choice shows him to be a wise man, or a foolish man.

Now, all of them have just heard these sayings of Jesus, in one sitting. On the other hand, we have been
looking at these sayings over several weeks, so I’d like to sum up some of the things that we’ve learned
about what Jesus has said.

Jesus began by telling the Jews how to enter into the kingdom of God - through a recognition that they are
poor in spirit; they cannot save themselves, but must repent and submit themselves to the One the Father
has sent, to save them (5:3-5).

Then Jesus told them that He came in order to fulfill the Law and the Prophets - as the Righteous One,
Israel’s Messiah, their Savior (5:17-18).

Jesus showed them that, if instead they were determined to be accepted based on their own righteousness,
they would need to perfectly keep the Law, right down to the motives and intents of their heart.

This includes relations with their fellow Jews, as well as with the Gentiles, whom they are to love and not
to judge (7:1-6). They must be perfect, as their heavenly Father is perfect (5:20-48).

And Jesus has shown them the difference between religious piety and a genuine relationship, with the Lord;
as true sons of their heavenly Father (6:1-18).

He has encouraged them to devote all their efforts to seeking God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, for
this is their critical need; and to simply trust God with their other needs (6:19-34).

And as they ask, their heavenly Father will direct them to the entrance into His kingdom - through their
Messiah; and as they seek, the Jews will find their Messiah, their Savior, in Jesus (7:7-11).

Jesus is the narrow gate, by which the Jews must enter the Kingdom; the difficult way, which permits a man
to enter, by faith alone - difficult, because the Jews cannot work their way in. But this is the one and only
way that God provided to lead men to eternal life (7:13-14).

Jesus showed them that the Jews’ religious leaders would not lead them to that narrow gate. Their only
interest in the people was their hunger to have a following from them. Jesus warned the complacent Jews,
don’t follow them. They’re on the broad way, leading to destruction (7:15-20).

And finally, Jesus spoke to the Jews about Judgment Day - and presented Himself to them as their Judge.
Even miraculous works done in the name of the Lord will not save a Jew, if he has not done the will of the
Father - the one good work he must do, in order to be saved - and what is that? Believing into the One the
Father sent, Jesus.

On that Day, if they have not believed in Him, Jesus will not recognize them, for they are not His own.
They will be forced to depart from Him - the One who had come to save them (7:21-23).
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So these were the sayings of Jesus; what He declared to the Jews. They had all heard what He had to say.
The teaching itself demanded a response; the Jews could not be neutral about it.

Their teachers had told them to practice the righteousness found in the Law, as best they could, and hope
that God would accept them, into His kingdom. But Jesus was telling them they had to keep the Law
perfectly if they wanted to be accepted by God based on their own righteousness.

Instead, they must admit that they cannot keep the Law perfectly - that they are sinners. They had to trust
in the One who would perfectly keep the Law for them - fulfilling both the Law and the Prophets, through
His righteous life and sacrificial death - Jesus.

This would be what it was to hear and to do the sayings of Jesus - to practice what He has said - simply
put, it’s to trust in Him as their Savior.

Jesus used an illustration to show this, to the Jews. The one who hears and practices the sayings of Jesus is
like a wise man. Where did he build his house? On the rock. The word for rock in the Greek refers to an
immovable mass of rock; bedrock.

The Jews would be well-acquainted with the kind of storm that Jesus described next. Heavy storms would
often bring flooding because of the hilly terrain. But a house built on bedrock draws stability from the
immovableness of that mass of rock. The house is secured by the rock; so it is unaffected by the storm.

Then Jesus describes those who hear what He said, but they don’t put it into practice; they willfully ignore
what He has said. And what does Jesus liken them to? A foolish man, who has built his house on the sand.

Sand is known for its instability! The individual particles have no power, to withstand pressure. Sand
shifts, with pressure. So what happens to a house, built on it, when a storm comes? It goes down. And
Jesus added “great was its fall”.

Even on the most superficial level, the illustration hits the mark. The building that the men are doing
conveys the idea of what men build their life upon; what they put their trust in. The wise man trusts in the
rock - what do you think that must represent? Jesus.

And then there’s the foolish man, building his house on the shifting sand - that would readily represent the
changeable world system - specifically with the religious aspect in mind, here.

What would the catastrophic storm represent? God’s judgment. That storm has no effect on the wise man’s
house; why not? Because of what it is standing on - immovable bedrock.

Jesus secures the salvation, of the one who puts his trust in Him; of the one who builds on Him, by faith.
That one will be saved from the judgment to come (Rom 5:9).

But woe to the foolish man, who builds on the sand! No religious way of thinking; no acts of piety; not
even wonder-working, in the Lord’s name - none of it gives a man any standing, before God. The man has
not secured his salvation, on the rock; on Jesus. And so in the storm, that house collapses; in the judgment,
the foolish man’s life will end in ruin; total destruction.
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But let me ask you this: How did you know that the rock represented Jesus? Maybe it’s because Paul
writes about that, to the assembly at Corinth: “that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor 10:4); or maybe it’s from other
NT references. Maybe you’re familiar with Christ as the Rock from certain classic hymns. But all of
these were drawn from illustrations given in the OT.

In fact, there are numerous pictures in the OT of Israel’s Messiah being likened to a rock - so many, that no
Jew listening to Jesus would fail to make that connection, to what He was saying. We’re going to go back
and look a few of these, just to get a sense of what the Jews knew of their Messiah as their Rock.

But this begins with the story of Jacob - when the rock was just a stone - a stone that Jacob was using as his
pillow. Now, we just reviewed this story when we looked at Messiah as the gate of heaven, so we’ll be
continuing where we left off.

Turn to Genesis chapter 28. You’ll recall that Jacob was on the run from his brother Esau, after having
deceived him about the birthright and the blessing, which the LORD had promised to Jacob, but Jacob sought
to obtain through his own doing.

On that first night away from home, Jacob took a stone to use as a head-rest, and as he fell asleep, Jacob
had that dream of the ladder, that connected earth to heaven, with the angels of God ascending and
descending on it.

What did we learn that ladder represented? Christ as the one Mediator, between God and man. And from
the top of that ladder, the LORD confirmed His eternal covenant with Jacob - laying down below on that
stone, on the earth.

When Jacob awoke, he recognized the LORD’s presence in that place. This was the house of God - Christ
was the place where man could come and meet God - as Jacob had just done, in his dream. And this was
the gate of heaven - Christ was the means by which a man gained entrance into God’s kingdom, as a son of
God - as Jacob had just done, by faith.

We continue with the account in verse 18.

[Genesis 28:18-22] So Jacob took the stone that he had used as a head-rest - the stone upon which he had
received that revelation from the LORD - and he set the stone up on its end, then poured oil on the top of the
stone, or literally in the Hebrew, on the head of it; he anointed the head of the stone.

What was the significance of this? Jacob was creating a memorial to what the LORD had revealed to him
personally about the eternal covenant. Jacob called the stone, which he had set as a pillar, God’s house.

This memorial then was to the Coming Christ - God, in an earthen house; a body of flesh. The pouring of
oil symbolized that He would be the LORD’s Anointed One, through whom all of God’s purposes would be
realized, on the earth - including His purposes, for Jacob.

The vow that Jacob made reflects his new-found faith in the LORD and His Coming One.

Now turn to Genesis chapter 35. This takes place about thirty years later. Jacob has returned to the land of
Canaan with his two wives, two concubines, and eleven sons. He has endured much hardship and affliction,
often the result of his own willfulness - instead of following the LORD’s leading.
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But a recent grievous trial has caused Jacob to turn his face to the LORD, and as he does, the LORD
encourages him to go back to Bethel (Gen 35:1) - the place where Jacob had first believed in the LORD.
There the LORD again confirms His covenant with Jacob.
[Genesis 35:9-15]

v. 9 Jacob had just obeyed the LORD, separating himself and his family to Him, and the LORD responded by
blessing Jacob.

v. 10 The LORD had given Jacob the name Israel some time back. This was when Jacob had wrestled with
the LORD. The LORD had to dislocate Jacob’s hip in order to get him to stop wrestling and to just cling to the
LORD - a powerful metaphor for the submission that was needed in Jacob’s life (Gen 32:24-30).

Jacob was now at the point when he was ready to begin to submit to the LORD - so the name change was at
this time applied to Jacob to reflect this. Israel means “God contends; God rules; prince with God”.

v. 11-13 God Almighty is El Shaddai, the all-sufficient God. He would now work through Jacob’s body to
bring forth the twelfth son; from those twelve sons would come the nation of Israel, who will one day be
the heirs to the land that the LORD promised to their fathers.

v. 14-15 Once again Jacob set up a stone on end as a memorial at Bethel, the house of God. What did
Jacob pour on the stone before? Oil, on the “head” of the stone. What does he pour on the head of this
stone, now? A drink offering – that is, wine. And then what? Oil, as before.

So what does this new memorial stone represent? Well, we can see that the stone must once again represent
Christ, as it did before - He is the basis of the eternal covenant that the LORD has made and now
reconfirmed, with Jacob.

The first anointing at Bethel showed the beginning of Jacob’s understanding of the Christ - as the mediator
between God and man - and personally, His Savior. He would be the Anointed One of the Father – Christ,
in His first coming to the earth.

In the offerings that would be given later to the nation of Israel, the pouring out of the wine as a drink
offering symbolizes the pouring out of the life – the shedding of the blood (Is 53:12, Phil 2:17).

Jacob’s drink offering on the head of the stone shows that he now had a deeper understanding of Christ.
Jacob recognized that the One who would be the Mediator between God and man, the Savior, must shed
His blood in death, to become so.

The second anointing with oil is a witness to Jacob’s understanding that Christ will return to the earth as
God’s Anointed King – His Second Coming. All of this could be known by Jacob through the gospel in the
stars, which the LORD shared with his grandfather Abraham (Gen 15:1-6, Gal 3:8) – but only now had it
become the focus of Jacob’s life.

Why did Jacob create this as a memorial to what God revealed to him this second time at Bethel? Because
by now, Abraham had died without receiving the promises, and Isaac was close to death.

Jacob recognized that the LORD’s promises in His covenant would be fulfilled to them – and to him – in the
resurrection of Life, at the end of days (Dan 12:13) – when Christ returns to rule and reign as King.
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Now turn to Genesis chapter 49. Through continued affliction, Jacob did eventually learn to trust the LORD
in his life, and to let God contend for him. Close to the end of his life, the LORD revealed to Jacob
prophecies for each one of his twelve sons - prophecies which would extend to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jacob told these prophecies to his sons. He came to the prophecy for the son who had saved the family -
Joseph, who was perfect type of Christ in His first coming to the earth. In the midst of this prophecy, Jacob
breaks from it in order to proclaim a doxology to his Mighty God. We find this as a parenthetical praise at
the end of verse 24.

[Genesis 49:24c] “(From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel)”. From where is He? Looking at the
preceding clause we see it is from the Mighty God of Jacob.

Jacob recognized the LORD to be his Shepherd, who had cared for him all his life long to this day (Gen
48:15). The LORD gave Jacob eyes to see the good Shepherd who He would send, who would lay down His
life for the nation Israel (Jn 10:14-15) - and for the whole world (Jn 10:16). And as He lay down His life,
He would become the Stone of Israel; the foundation stone for God’s kingdom - the sons of God - in
heaven, and on earth.

Now turn to Exodus chapter 17. In Egypt, the family of Jacob had grown into a nation, which the LORD had
birthed through the waters of the Red Sea, and brought to Himself in the wilderness.

Here was the nation that the LORD made to serve His purposes, but they were just a nation of flesh men;
unregenerate. This first generation of Israel had not believed into the LORD for His Coming One.

So the LORD revealed His Christ to the nation in the wilderness through types and symbols. Already they
had been shown the Lamb - whose blood would be shed to free men from sin and death; and then they were
given the manna - bread from heaven, of which men could eat, and live. Now the Christ would be
introduced to the nation as their Rock - the Stone of Jacob, who was sufficient for the entire nation.

[Exodus 17:1-7]

v. 1-4 This had already become a pattern, of the people. They had a physical need, and instead of trusting
the LORD to meet that need, they turned against His representative, Moses, expressing their unbelief to him -
which was in fact unbelief in the LORD - testing Him, which invites His judgment.

But the LORD is longsuffering; He gave His people opportunity after opportunity, to trust Him. Once again,
the LORD made provision for the people - and as He did so, showed them through Moses how He would
meet their far, far greater spiritual need.

v. 5-7 The author to the Hebrews wrote that the gospel was preached to that first generation of Israel, in the
wilderness (Heb 4:2). This was how the LORD preached the gospel to them; in signs and symbols - such as
seen here.

As instructed, Moses struck a certain rock that the LORD stood upon - striking it with the rod used in the
judgments of Egypt (v. 5).

The rod represents the LORD’s authority. And what does the rock represent? Christ. Isaiah will declare that
Messiah would be “stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted” (Is 53:4); and, “it pleased the LORD to bruise
Him” (Is 53:10) - that is, it was the will of God.
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Why? Because in no other way could God put away the sins of mankind. “He was wounded for our
transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him; and by His
stripes we are healed” (Is 53:5); healed of our sin-sickness. So it was Moses, representing the LORD, who
struck the rock.

And when he did, water miraculously gushed out of the rock, so that the people might drink - and not
perish of thirst. In His first coming, Jesus would declare to the Jews, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me
and drink, he who believes in Me. As the Scripture has said, out of His heart will flow rivers of living
water” (Jn 7:37-38).

Out of the heart of Christ, pierced on the cross, would flow the waters of salvation - so that men might not
perish, but have eternal life (1 Jn 5:6, Jn 3:16).

But there was one more thing needed, for this salvation; what was it? The people had to bow down, and
take in the water.

That day, Israel knelt down to be delivered of their thirst; but they never bowed down to the Rock of their
salvation, to be delivered from sin and death. The gospel was preached to them, but the word which they
heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it (Heb 4:2).

One of the psalmists was a man named Asaph. The LORD gave him a testimony against the children of
Israel. Asaph wrote that when the LORD miraculously delivered that first generation in the wilderness - like
with the water from the rock - they did not consider what He had done, but just asked for more - the food of
their fancy (Ps 78:17-20).

Asaph indicates that this is why Israel came into the LORD’s judgment; because they did not believe in Him,
and trust in His salvation (Ps 78:21-22). In the heat of the judgments, Israel “remembered” - fleetingly -
that God was their rock; the Most High God was their Redeemer; but their heart was never steadfast
towards Him (Ps 78:35-37). Their response to the faithfulness of God had always been an evil heart of
unbelief. They never built on their Rock, by faith.

Later generations of Israel did the same - even when the LORD prospered them, as a kingdom.

Turn to Isaiah chapter 8. After the LORD established the throne of David over all Israel, the kingdom
became divided because of his son Solomon’s involvement in the idolatry of his many wives (1 Ki 11:1-
13).

Ten tribes were united as a kingdom in the north; they are called Ephraim, here in Isaiah’s prophecy. To the
south were the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which remained loyal to David’s throne. They were known as
the kingdom of Judah.

Both Ephraim and Judah were not faithful to the LORD, making alliances with the surrounding nations, and
pursuing their idol-worship. Despite countless warnings by their prophets, both Ephraim and Judah
eventually came into judgment, by the LORD.

At this time, Ahaz is on the throne of Judah. Ephraim and Syria have entered into an alliance to protect
themselves from the Assyrian armies, and they were trying to coerce Ahaz to join forces with them. The
LORD was warning the prophet Isaiah not to get caught up in this “conspiracy”, but to trust in His
protection, instead.
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[Isaiah 8:11-15]

v. 11-12 The LORD was cautioning Isaiah not to walk in the way of Ahaz and Judah, for they were heading
into judgment. Isaiah must remain faithful to prophesy as the LORD showed him, despite the threats and the
trouble that the message would bring to him.

v. 13-15 Now the Rock, which was to be Israel’s salvation, appears as a stone of stumbling, and a rock of
offense - for both Ephraim and Judah. Because they would not build on the Rock by faith, the Rock could
not save them; the Rock became the source of their judgment.

Now turn to Isaiah chapter 28. Ahaz did not enter into an alliance with Ephraim and Syria - but he didn’t
trust the LORD, either; far from it. Instead, he made an alliance with the king of Assyria, who promptly
made Judah a vassal state, paying tribute to keep Assyria at bay.

Shortly after this time, the Assyrians completely overtook Ephraim, and took the northern tribes into
captivity. Judah paid tribute to the Assyrians under Ahaz, but when his son Hezekiah came to the throne, he
eventually refused to pay - which brought the Assyrians back to Judah.

This prophecy was given to Isaiah at that time - about 35 years after the last one we looked at.

[Isaiah 28:14-19]

v. 14-15 The “scornful men” that Isaiah was referring to are the counselors of Hezekiah in Jerusalem, who
have formed yet another alliance for protection - this time, with Egypt. The LORD refers to this as their
“covenant with death”. The “’overflowing scourge” are the armies of the Assyrians. The counselors were
fools, to believe they had the protection they needed.

v. 16 Whoever believes will not act hastily - that is, will not panic.

v. 17 The one who trusts in the Cornerstone - Israel’s Rock of salvation - will be secured by Him. They
will not be swept away by the stormy judgment that is coming to Judah. But those who are trusting in
princes for their protection will be swept away, with their refuge of lies.

v. 18-19 This is a graphic illustration of the invading armies of the Assyrians - wave upon wave of them.
They conquered many of the cities of Judah, until only Jerusalem was left.

Isaiah gave this prophecy to the leadership in Jerusalem. And you know what happened? Hezekiah
decided to act against his counselors, and to trust in the LORD instead. This king believed the LORD, and in
so doing, he secured his nation upon the Rock - and they were delivered from this calamity.

The LORD sent an angel into the Assyrian camp that night, who slew 185,000 soldiers. The Assyrian king
left Jerusalem unconquered, withdrew from Judah and returned home with his decimated army; and
thereafter, he remained in Nineveh until he was slain by his sons (2 Ki 19:35-36).

Because Jerusalem followed Hezekiah’s lead in trusting all to the LORD, judgment was stayed on them. The
LORD smote their enemies, and the Assyrians retreated. Jerusalem had a reprieve, because their righteous
king put his trust in the Rock.

[Return to Matthew 7]
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You can see how much the Jews would have understood of what Jesus was saying to them here. Their
nation Israel had never built their house on the Rock; they had never trusted in the LORD for their Messiah,
to save them. And because of that, generation after generation had come into judgment, perishing in their
unbelief.

Jesus had revealed Himself to the Jews as their Messiah - the One, and only One, who could secure their
salvation. And He shows the choice of the individual Jew to be no different than that of the nation.

The Jew could be wise, and build on the Rock, trusting in Messiah. Or the Jew could put his trust in that
shifty world system - with its political alliances, it changeable fortunes, and in particular for the Jew, its
religious assurances. The house of Israel had fallen before; and it would fall yet again. Only a foolish Jew
would choose to go down with it.

Reading: Gal 2:11-21, 5:16-26; Rom 6:15-23, 8:1-4.