Romans 9: 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
For some unknown reason, The Rock who represents to us permanence, security, salvation, and indeed eternal life, was as a general rule, not recognized or accepted as such by the world, or the overwhelming majority of the people back then. It is evident from the scriptures, that The Rock was seen more as a cause for stumbling, rather than a cause for great rejoicing.
The reason for this perspective of offense is given in the Bible for it was and would always be, those who refuse to listen and obey the voice of God, who will ultimately become offended at The Rock. When one surrenders to Christ and His word, there is no more any animosity and bad feelings against God, for the former things are all passed away and The smitten Rock provides atonement {AT-One-Ment}.
The overwhelming majority of people who have a problem with God are those, who for some reason or another would not obey His word. Those, who through their freedom of choice, align themselves through Christ, to the great laws and principles of righteousness, are no more at enmity with God.
Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!