Four Titles of the Messiah part 2

Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle. Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together. Zechariah 10:3-4

The first of the four Messianic titles listed in verse four is the most familiar of them: the Cornerstone. A cornerstone was used by builders as a firmly-placed basis for the squareness and level of the foundation – it was the stone that all measurements were referenced from. It was the key part of the foundation, and the most important stone in the building – everything stemmed from it.

Throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, there are numerous spiritual references to this Cornerstone. Isaiah wrote that the Lord said, ...Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes will not be disturbed. Isa. 28:16 And the psalmist wrote, The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner {stone.} Ps. 118:22 What cornerstone was rejected? The New Testament clearly tells us that it was Jesus.

Paul the apostle told the Ephesians that Jesus was the Cornerstone (Eph. 2:19-22). Peter said, ...Jesus Christ the Nazarene ... is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, {but} WHICH BECAME THE VERY CORNER {stone.} Acts 4:10-11 And in his first epistle he called Jesus... ...a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God ... A PRECIOUS CORNER {stone} ... THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER {stone,} ” 1Pet. 2:4-7

Those who were supposed to be the builders of the kingdom – the Jewish leaders – rejected Jesus as their Messiah. He did not live up to their expectations. He did not meet their qualifications. He was supposed to be the key to their entire foundation, but was completely rejected by them. He was to them a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense (Isa 8:14-15; Luke 20:17-18).

continued....