The Names Of Jesus - “A Tested Stone”
A Tested Stone, is the stone that is chosen to be the foundation of a building. How is the stone tested?
The Names Of Jesus - “A Tested Stone”
Isaiah 28:16
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a Tested Stone, a Costly Cornerstone for the foundation, firmly paced.”
Throughout the Bible, the idea of testing is presented as a way of building something that is strong. Walls, swords, metals and people are all tested. Thought the testing process, the sword is proven to be ready for battle. The wall is proven to be sturdy and the metal is shown to be pure.
A Tested Stone, is the stone that is chosen to be the foundation of a building. How is the stone tested?
The Hebrew adjective (bochan) is only found once in the Bible, right here in Isaiah 28. But there is a related verb (bachar) that means to choose. Bachar indicates a selection process that involves a careful examination of something that is chosen for a specific purpose.
That examination process is important. The cornerstone is the most important part of the structure. If the cornerstone fails, the whole structure falls.
It’s important to remember that Isaiah isn’t writing about a typical building. He’s referring to you and me and the eternal Temple made of God’s people. The cornerstone of our faith is Jesus. Our entire relationship with God is built on that foundation. That Stone has been examined and tested. He was chosen for the job, tried through suffering and persecution, tested by fire and proved to be worthy!
That, my friends, is Jesus: the Tested Stone of our faith. Tomorrow, we’ll learn what qualities the Precious Cornerstone has that makes Him so worthy.
Hebrews 4:15
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
