God warned them of this in the Scriptures when He said, “I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.
Romans 9:33
When we examine it in detail we see this quote comes from two different sources:
Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
Isa 28:16
He will keep you safe. But to Israel and Judah He will be a stone that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem He will be a trap and a snare.
Isa 8:14
Paul has used the first and last part of Isaiah 28:16 and inserted a segment from Isa 8:14 as a substitute for the middle portion of Isaiah 28:16.
Rom 9:33 God warned them of this in the Scriptures when He said, “I am placing a stone in Jerusalem (Isa 28:16) that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. (Isa 8:14) But anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced. (Isa 28:16)” NLT
The analogy is like me saying: As the Scripture says “I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship. True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Indeed, the Father is looking for people like that to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds He keeps in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him.” What have I done? There are those of you who know instantly and there are others of you who have no idea. And do you think I am going to tell you what I have done above? No, you work it out and furthermore work out why I made those changes.
Remember Paul is one who has been to Rabbinical training. He knows the Scriptures frontwards and backwards. He is talking to people who know the Word as well. Is Paul taking liberties with the text? Does he not respect the text of God? I have met the people or read books of a number of people who don’t respect either the Word of God or the writings of other Christians, evidenced by the way they twist their words and conveniently misquote the writer or speaker. Is that what Paul is doing here? No way! Paul has a very high view of Scripture. He would never do that.
So why has he made these changes? Paul is using the one quote to explain the other. Isaiah 8:14 is saying that Yaweh is the stone the makes people stumble. That is what Paul wants to communicate by putting the pieces together as he has, Paul has demonstrated that Christ is the one who makes them stumble. He is the stumbling stone. A very clever use of two related Scriptures. Put another way it is like clipping verses and putting them together in the way Living Light does. No one is seeking to deceive anyone. The concepts are being stacked together in new and creative ways. Paul is doing the same thing.
God rested after six days of work, and the world didn’t collapse. What makes us think it will if we do?
Max Lucado
We don’t know what it takes to run the world, and wise are we who leave the work to God’s hands.
Max Lucado