Isn’t it amazing how the Old Testament beautifully points to Jesus, our cornerstone? 🪨 In fact, no other text from the Old Testament is quoted more in the New Testament than this powerful declaration! “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22)
Jesus Himself quoted this in Matthew 21:42, reminding us of His profound role: “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
This cornerstone isn’t just any stone; it’s the one that beautifully connects God and humanity in an incredible relationship. He’s divine and human, bridging the gap between heaven and earth. He’s the one who holds time and eternity together—He walked this earth for just a few years, yet He is the Ancient of Days. What a wondrous cornerstone He is! (Shoutout to Spurgeon for this insight!)
Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on the significance of a song. 🎵 Can you imagine Jesus singing this song of ascent on the night of His rejection, knowing what was ahead? As He led His disciples in worship during those last moments together, they didn’t fully grasp the gravity of the situation, but Jesus did. He was facing rejection to become the chief cornerstone for all of us.
Let’s look at Psalm 118:21-24:
“I will praise You, For You have answered me And have become my salvation. The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.This was the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
How beautiful is that? The cornerstone is a symbol of strength and unity, binding together the structure of our faith. The Hebrew word for cornerstone, “pinna,” signifies a foundation stone essential for building something strong and lasting.
And when we think of Jesus as the “chief cornerstone,” we understand He is the head of our faith. The Hebrew word “Rosh” means head, and in Greek, “kephalē” means the same. This cornerstone was placed at the top of a wall corner, holding everything together.
Stone meaning in Hebrew “the Father & Son”
The Hebrew word for STONE comprises two words: Av, meaning father, and ben, meaning son.
The Architect’s blueprints are designed by the Master Builder, God the Father’s hands.
I know this is a very detailed subject, and it’s lengthy but full of a wealth of information and nuggets of truth.
Stone Quarry
Isaiah 51:1-5
The LORD says, “Listen to me, those of you who try to live right and follow the LORD. Look at the rock from which you were cut; look at the Stone Quarry from which you were dug. Look at Abraham, your ancestor, and Sarah, who gave birth to your ancestors.
(the rock out of which you were shaped and the quarry from where you were mined)
When we moved here, I first saw this rock quarry, and I immediately thought of the land of Israel.
Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, which was a rock quarry.
These are pictures of a rock quarry near me.
Kentucky Rock Quarry
Limestone is an abundant rock in the county where we now live.
In the 1800s, iron ore was found here, and they named the town where we lived “The New Jerusalem.”
You can see why I said Israel. There is such a resemblance as you look down at the following picture of the Limestone Quarry in Israel.
Pictures of the Limestone Quarry in Israel
I love to study the Land of Israel.
It is helpful to get an Archeological study Bible with its informative articles and full-color photographs, and its geological records surrounding God’s Word prove to be an excellent tool for contextualizing my studies. Today, there are 85 active quarries in Israel and about 2000 non-active and abandoned quarries.
Quarry in Hebrew
Stone H68 eḇen (stone of help) =the Father/Son
I enjoy digging into the profound depths of the Word of God! In Hebrew, we find the term ‘maqqebeth,’ which speaks of a quarry—a sacred place where stones are hewn, shaped, and prepared for divine purposes. Oh, how marvelous is the Lord’s craftsmanship!
In Isaiah 51:1, the Almighty beckons us, saying, “Listen to me, you who seek righteousness and pursue the Lord!” He calls us to reflect on our origins, look upon the very rock from which we were hewn, and remember Abraham and Sarah, our spiritual ancestors. Look at that Stone! Yes, the Stone that symbolizes our foundation, our identity in Christ!
The Rock and the Stone are foundational; in Jerusalem, archaeologists uncover magnificent treasures hidden in ancient quarries—stones, boulders, pillars—all echoing the glory of the One who created them. Oh, what beauty lies in those blocks of granite and marble, each one meticulously shaped. Yet I tell you, if those stones could speak, they would testify of the trials they endured, the chiseling and the hammering!
Consider the wonders revealed in the earth—metals, coins, armor, precious jewelry, and even nails buried deep within the rock! Think about it: a Stone was closer to Jesus in His identity! He walked among those very rocks, teaching and ministering, using the landscape as His pulpit.
We all face trials and setbacks, don’t we? Life’s quarry can be challenging, filled with the sound of chiseling and hewing. But listen closely, for God is at work! He is polishing and preparing us, His living stones, for the perfect will He has designed for our lives!
The Master Builder holds the Architect’s blueprints in His divine hands, shaping us for His glory! For you are being crafted into something extraordinary! The Lord is with you, guiding you through every trial, and He will bring you forth
As Living Stones precious in the sight of God
(Psa 118:22; Isa 28:16 )
Remember, no matter what you’re facing, you have a solid foundation in Him.
