“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7

The stoning system was used in Ancient Israel under the Ceremonial Law as a punishment for certain sins. We see mention of it made at Mt. Sinai when Jesus came to speak the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:13). Any man or animal that touched the mountain when the presence of God was there would be stoned. The stoning system was punishment for a variety of other sins also, for man and beast. A man was stoned for breaking the Sabbath (Numbers 15:36). Achan was stoned for stealing and lying (Joshua 7:25, 26). There were many other sins that resulted in the death penalty by stoning such as adultery and rebellion of children against parents.

The Pharisees used this form of punishment to test Jesus. They brought a woman to Him who had been caught in adultery. They asked Him, “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” John 8:5. They were not seeking to sacredly guard the law by punishing a lawbreaker, but rather they were seeking to trap Jesus. If He agreed with them, Jesus would be defying Roman authority, but if He let her go, He would be disregarding the Law of Moses.  This woman had been led into this act by these very men for the sake of their desire to trap Jesus. The woman was afraid. John 8:1-10 tells of how Jesus thwarted the plans of the Jewish leaders.  He turned to them and spake those ominous words, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7

“The woman had stood before Jesus, cowering with fear. His words, ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone,’ had come to her as a death sentence. She dared not lift her eyes to the Saviour’s face, but silently awaited her doom.” DA 462. This story has a happy ending, though. The enemies of Jesus departed when their own faults were pointed out by the writing in the sand. None of them were without sin. They were not worthy to cast the first stone.  Only Jesus was worthy to do so, but He had another message for her. “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11. No wonder Mary was one of Jesus’ most faithful followers.  Only Jesus was worthy… only Jesus… but He did not. He forgave her and she appreciated His forgiveness.  “Her heart was melted, and she cast herself at the feet of Jesus, sobbing out her grateful love, and with bitter tears confessing her sins.”  {DA 462.1}

“In His act of pardoning this woman and encouraging her to live a better life, the character of Jesus shines forth in the beauty of perfect righteousness. While He does not palliate sin, nor lessen the sense of guilt, He seeks not to condemn, but to save. The world had for this erring woman only contempt and scorn; but Jesus speaks words of comfort and hope. The Sinless One pities the weakness of the sinner, and reaches to her a helping hand. While the hypocritical Pharisees denounce, Jesus bids her, ‘Go, and sin no more.’”  {DA 462.3}

Jesus says the same to each and every sinner. “Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more.” How many appreciate this forgiveness? How many ignore the second part, “Go and sin no more?”  Ignoring the second part can have dire consequences.

THE STONING SYSTEM

Sister White saw a very interesting dream regarding the stoning system.  Let’s read it here…

“I had a dream. I saw A in close conversation with men and with ministers. He adroitly would make statements born of suspicion and imagination to draw them out, and then would gain expression from them. I saw him clap his hands over something very eagerly. I felt a pang of anguish at heart as I saw this going on. I saw in my dream yourself and B in conversation with him. You made statements to him which he seemed to grasp with avidity, and close his hand over something. I then saw him go to his room, and there upon the floor was a pile of stones systematically laid up, stone upon stone. He placed the additional stones on the pile and counted them up. Every stone had a name–some report gathered up–and every stone was numbered.”  {12 MR 10.1}

“The young man who often instructs me came and looked upon the pile of stones with grief and indignation, and inquired [of A] what he had and what he proposed to do with them. A looked up with a sharp, gratified laugh. ‘These are mistakes of C. I am going to stone him with them, stone him to death.’ The young man said, ‘You are bringing back the stoning system, are you? You are worse than the ancient Pharisees. Who gave you this work to do? The Lord raised you up, the Lord entrusted you with a special work. The Lord has sustained you in a most remarkable manner, but it was not for you to degrade your powers for this kind of work. Satan is an accuser of the brethren.’

“I thought ‘A’ seemed very defiant and determined. Said he, ‘C is trying to tear us to pieces. He is working against us, and to save our reputation and life, we must work against him. I shall use every stone to the last pebble here upon this floor to kill him. This is only self-defense, a disagreeable necessity.’”  {12MR 11.1}

“And then said the young man solemnly, ‘What have you gained? Have you in the act righted your wrongs? Have you opened your heart to Jesus Christ, and does He sit there enthroned? Who occupies the citadel of the soul under this administration of the stoning system?’”  {12MR 11.2}

“‘You have a higher calling, a more important work. Leave all such work of gathering stones for the enemies of God’s law. You brethren must love one another, or you are not children of the day, but of darkness.’”  {12MR 11.3}

“I then saw C engaged in a similar work, gathering stones, making a pile, and ready to begin the stoning system. Similar words were repeated to him with additional injunctions, and I awoke.” {12MR 11.4}

This is a very sad situation and my prayer is that it does not happen in God’s church. If it does it must be put away before the Latter Rain can be poured out upon God’s people. God’s people will be unified.

STONING THE RIGHTEOUS

Sometimes the righteous were unjustly stoned to death by evildoers as was the case when Jezebel had Naboth stoned (1 Kings 21:14). And also when Stephen was stoned (Acts 7:58, 59).  Hebrews 11:37 informs us that many righteous people gave up their lives for the faith by being stoned.

Although the stoning system is not legal in many parts of the world today, people can be stoned figuratively as in the dream that Sister White saw.  Gossip, evil speaking, criticism, censure and all like sins are figurative stones. Righteous people are often stoned by the unrighteous for a variety of reasons. The wicked just cannot leave them alone. The devil is the mastermind behind all evil and is making every attempt to destroy God’s faithful people.

History relates many instances where different religious groups “stoned” other religious groups who did not conform to their ideas and interpretations of scriptures.  The saddest time is when brother picks up stones and hurls them at another brother in the same congregation.

“If men desire to place themselves where they can be used by God, they must not criticize others, to make their defects apparent. This is Satan’s special temptation, whereby he strives to hinder the work.–Manuscript 152, 1898.”  {Ev 634.3}

STONING THE LEADERS

Leaders are often a target as we have certain expectations of our leaders, and when they do not fulfil our expectations, or do the work as we expect them to do, then they become a target. Not all workers will use the same methods and means.  Some have been “stoned” by their own members as seen in the example of how Korah treated his own cousin, the leader of the nation, Moses (Numbers 16).

“Many have strong feelings against Brother —–. They accuse him of unkindness, harshness, and severity. But some of the very ones who would condemn him are no less guilty themselves. He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” Brother —– has not always moved wisely, and he has been hard to convince where he has not taken the best course. He has not been as willing to receive counsel, and to modify his methods of instruction and his manner of dealing with his students, as he should have been. But those who would condemn him because of his defects could in their turn be justly condemned. Every man has his peculiar defects of character. One may be free from the weakness which he sees in his brother, yet he may at the same time have faults which are far more grievous in the sight of God.”  {5T 35.2}

Our leaders get tired also and need help. They are not infallible. They will become weary. What did Aaron and Hur do when Moses became tired?

“Moses and Aaron and Hur were stationed on a hill overlooking the battlefield. With arms outstretched toward heaven, and holding the rod of God in his right hand, Moses prayed for the success of the armies of Israel. As the battle progressed, it was observed that so long as his hands were reaching upward, Israel prevailed, but when they were lowered, the enemy was victorious. As Moses became weary, Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands until the going down of the sun, when the enemy was put to flight.

“As Aaron and Hur supported the hands of Moses, they showed the people their duty to sustain him in his arduous work while he should receive the word from God to speak to them.” {CC 95.5}

“Many thank God for the truth and then turn around and question and find fault with the very means which Heaven has ordained to make them what they are or what they ought to be. How much more pleasing to God it would be for them to act the part of Aaron and Hur and help hold up the hands of those who are bearing the great and heavy burdens of the work in connection with the cause of God. Murmurers and complainers should remain at home, where they will be out of the way of temptation, where they cannot find food for their jealousies, evil surmisings, and faultfindings, for the presence of such is only a burden to the meetings; they are clouds without water.”  {1T 526.2}

“Happy the minister who has a faithful Aaron and Hur to strengthen his hands when they become weary, and to hold them up by faith and prayer. Such a support is a powerful aid to the servant of Christ in his work, and will often make the cause of truth to triumph gloriously.”  {GW92 32.2}

PRAY FOR YOUR LEADERS: “Brethren and sisters, have you forgotten that your prayers should go out, like sharp sickles, with the labourers in the great harvest field? As young men go forth to preach the truth, you should have seasons of prayer for them. Pray that God will connect them with Himself and give them wisdom, grace, and knowledge. Pray that they may be guarded from the snares of Satan and kept pure in thought and holy in heart. I entreat you who fear the Lord to waste no time in unprofitable talk or in needless labour to gratify pride or to indulge the appetite. Let the time thus gained be spent in wrestling with God for your ministers. Hold up their hands as did Aaron and Hur the hands of Moses.–5T 162.” {PaM 100.2}

EVIL SPEAKING

Evil words are some of the harshest stones thrown. They are very sharp.“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” James 3:5,6.  Words spoken can never be taken back. They can permanently wound relationships.

“Earnest workers have no time for dwelling upon the faults of others. We cannot afford to live on the husks of others’ faults or failings. Evilspeaking is a twofold curse, falling more heavily upon the speaker than upon the hearer. He who scatters the seeds of dissension and strife reaps in his own soul the deadly fruits. The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. But by beholding Jesus, talking of His love and perfection of character, we become changed into His image. By contemplating the lofty ideal He has placed before us, we shall be uplifted into a pure and holy atmosphere, even the presence of God. When we abide here, there goes forth from us a light that irradiates all who are connected with us.”  {MH 492.2}

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29. If your words will not benefit, inspire and encourage the listeners to a higher course, then they would be best left unspoken.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO INSTEAD OF STONING?

It is a really sad situation when we see a Christian hurling stones at another Christian, or brother against brother. The angels weep. We are counselled that when we are aware of someone who is doing what we perceive is wrong we should not “stone” them with our words and actions, but rather, “Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Dwell upon the good qualities of those with whom you associate, and see as little as possible of their errors and failings. When tempted to complain of what someone has said or done, praise something in that person’s life or character.”  {MH 492.1}

People make mistakes. People sin. What should we do? Throw away our stones. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1; and “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1. “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”  “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”    James 5:9, 20

“And not all, even of those who appear most faulty, are like Judas. Peter, impetuous, hasty, and self-confident, often appeared to far greater disadvantage than Judas did. He was oftener reproved by the Saviour. But what a life of service and sacrifice was his! What a testimony does it bear to the power of God’s grace! So far as we are capable, we are to be to others what Jesus was to His disciples when He walked and talked with them on the earth.”  {MH 493.4}

“Regard yourselves as missionaries, first of all, among your fellow workers. Often it requires a vast amount of time and labour to win one soul to Christ. And when a soul turns from sin to righteousness, there is joy in the presence of the angels. Think you that the ministering spirits who watch over these souls are pleased to see how indifferently they are treated by some who claim to be Christians? Should Jesus deal with us as we too often deal with one another, who of us could be saved?”  {MH 493.5}

“One thing all can do: They can avoid making the work of others unnecessarily hard by criticizing their efforts, putting stones in front of the car their brethren are trying to push uphill. If any are unwilling to put their shoulder to the wheel, let them at least refrain from hindering those who are working. God calls for labourers who will refuse to discourage their fellow labourers.”  {7T 237.2}

“STONE” YOURSELF

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Cor. 13:5 “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine own eye?  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5

If you are tempted to throw stones, then throw stones at yourself. “Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We shall have to criticize ourselves closely, and allow not one unfavourable trait to remain uncorrected.”  {COL 331.1}

“Instead of criticizing and condemning others, say, ‘I must work out my own salvation. If I co-operate with Him who desires to save my soul, I must watch myself diligently. I must put away every evil from my life. I must overcome every fault. I must become a new creature in Christ. Then, instead of weakening those who are striving against evil, I can strengthen them by encouraging words.’ We are too indifferent in regard to one another. Too often we forget that our fellow labourers are in need of strength and cheer. Take care to assure them of your interest and sympathy. Help them by your prayers, and let them know that you do it.”  {MH 492.3}

CONCLUSION

True followers of Christ will not have any stones to throw at their fellow Christians or church members. “Those who are forward in accusing others, and zealous in bringing them to justice, are often in their own lives more guilty than they. Men hate the sinner, while they love the sin. Christ hates the sin, but loves the sinner. This will be the spirit of all who follow Him. Christian love is slow to censure, quick to discern penitence, ready to forgive, to encourage, to set the wanderer in the path of holiness, and to stay his feet therein.”  {HM, February 1, 1892 par. 6}

This is how Christ worked as we seen in the experience of the woman caught in Adultery. While the Jewish leaders saw nothing good in this woman, Jesus could read her heart. When Jesus spoke these words to Mary, “Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more,” “this was to her the beginning of a new life, a life of purity and peace, devoted to the service of God. In the uplifting of this fallen soul, Jesus performed a greater miracle than in healing the most grievous physical disease; He cured the spiritual malady which is unto death everlasting. This penitent woman became one of His most steadfast followers. With self-sacrificing love and devotion she repaid His forgiving mercy.”  {DA 462.2}

Our brethren and leaders are not infallible. They will make mistakes. “What can Christ, who is so forgiving, so patient with all our mistakes, so rich in mercy and love, think of our hardhearted criticism and fault-finding? Love for your erring brethren will produce far greater effect in reforming him than all your harsh criticisms. Let all the thoughts and emotions of the heart be after Christ’s order. Let self be put out of sight. The Lord would have the thoughts and the language and the experience of Christian life far more attractive than it is today. If they are not more like Jesus, they can never be the light of the world.”  {15MR 151.2}

King David would have had a lot of negative things to say about the man (King Saul), who was seeking his life.  Yet do we hear anything negative being said by him? His men wanted him to kill King Saul and even went as far as to say that the Lord had delivered the king into his hands.  But David refused to lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.  No, God placed him into that position and he (David) would wait patiently for God to remove him from that position. (1 Samuel 26:8-11). The king was the leader of the nation (anointed by God), yet what an example he was being for the subjects of his kingdom. Yet God permitted him to remain in office for many years still.

It is my prayer that we throw away our stones, love our enemies, help our leaders and assist the weaker members in the church. In this way there will be perfect unity and the Latter Rain can finally be poured out amongst God’s people. Those who refuse to throw away their stones will leave the presence of Christ, as did the Pharisees when Jesus pointed out their sins by writing in the sand. They will soon find that they have severed their connection with God. Today there is still time. Let us love one another in the true spirit of Christ.

Remember Jesus’ words. They were spoken to you, and to your fellow man. May God help us to have this spirit in our relationship with others. “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” AMEN

Wendy Eaton