But the men said, “You must not go with us! If we run away in the battle, Absalom’s men won’t care. Even if half of us are killed, Absalom’s men won’t care. But you’re worth ten thousand of us! You can help us most by staying in the city.”
I see someone who will come someday, someone who will come, but not soon. A star will come from Jacob; a ruler will rise from Israel. He will crush the heads of the Moabites and smash the skulls of the sons of Sheth.
Jesus said to them, “Surely you have read this in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone. The Lord did this, and it is wonderful to us.’
You are like a building that was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building,
The Israelites have sinned; they have broken the agreement I commanded them to obey. They took some of the things I commanded them to destroy. They have stolen and lied and have taken those things for themselves.
That is why the Israelites cannot face their enemies. They turn away from the fight and run, because I have commanded that they be destroyed. I will not help you anymore unless you destroy everything as I commanded you.