Foundation

Foundation
    The Hebrew verb yaœsad ("establish," "found," "fix"), with its various derivatives and NT equivalents, refers to the founding or establishing of cities and buildings, especially temples, according to prescribed plans. The plans, known by revelation and tradition, included consequences that made them apt illustrations for the security of godliness or the perils of wickedness. As one might expect, the bases of structures such as altars and the foundation stones of buildings or city walls are primarily in view (Acts 16:26; Rev 21:14; Is 54:11–12). Similarly, the author of Hebrews alludes to foundational doctrines as the basis of spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1, themelios) and the male seed as the basis of a covenantal household (Heb 11:11, kataboleœ); and Paul speaks of an initial group of converts as a foundation of ministry (Rom 15:20; 1 Cor 3:10–16). Biblical buildings and cities were only as substantial as their foundations, which were symbolically related to the behavior of the people. Thus houses and walls might be impressively painted, yet without deep foundations they were flimsy and insecure. In catastrophic judgments the "exposure of foundations" meant complete destruction (Deut 32:22; Ps 18:15; Ezek 13:14; Lk 6:49).
    Literal usage in the Bible focused on the construction of temples and cities (e.g., 1 Kings 16:24). Solomon's temple was built on large blocks of high quality stone (1 Kings 5:17; 6:37; 7:10). The foundation of the postexilic temple was celebrated as an assurance of the enduring love of the Lord for Israel (Ezra 3:6–12; 1 Chron 16:34; Zech 4:9; 8:9) as well as a prophetic exhortation to consider the ethical implications of the occasion (Hag 2:15–19). The sacral significance of the founding of a temple or city was mentioned negatively with Jericho, where because of child sacrifice a curse was pronounced by Joshua that was fulfilled in Ahab's reign (1 Kings 16:34).
    The figurative meaning is an architectural metaphor that pictures God as the Creator of the earth (see COSMOLOGY) and the builder of his promised city and family/nation. The literal and figurative nuances are mediated by passages that refer to the Lord as the ultimate builder of Zion and its temple in which his people are to find refuge (Is 14:32; 44:28). Metaphorically, the primary builder is divine rather than human; the blueprint is God's plan or decree; and the "structure" is personalized as creation, the household of God or individuals. The heavens and the earth belong to the Lord because he founded them and sovereignly governs everything in them according to his eternal plan (Ps 24:2; 78:69; 89:11[12]; 102:26; 104:5; Prov 3:19; Is 48:13; 51:13, 16). History unfolded the divine purposes of creation so that truths were progressively revealed that have been hidden since the foundation (creation) of the world (Ps 78:2; Mt 13:35).
    In the ancient Near East, temples of the sovereign deities were thought of as microcosms of the world. The deity mediated life through the temple in the "center" (see MIDDLE, CENTER) of the city, which was in turn the "center" of the earth. The image was of the temple and city as the navel (omphalos) of the world. In truth, this was Yahweh's right by creation through his temple in Zion (Ps 48; Ezek 5:5). Life and security were to be found in his word and city; thus the people of God had a secure hope based on his trustworthy promises. Though they may have had to live in tents like Abraham, by faith they were to look "forward to the city with foundations [in antithesis to ungodly alternatives], whose architect and builder is God" (Heb 11:10 NIV; Rev 21:14, 19). This kind of faith in God's word was as secure as founding one's house (life) on bedrock (Lk 6:46–49), and it evidenced the Father's election of believers in Christ from the foundation (creation) of the world (Mt 25:34; Eph 1:4; 2 Tim 2:19; Heb 4:3). The notions of plans, policies or resolutions as the basis of events and relationships applied as well to human rulers who formed enclaves against the Lord and his anointed ruler (Ps 2:2; 31:13) and who determined policies for their people (1 Chron 9:22; Esther 1:8; 8–9).
    Peter and Paul give the architectural metaphor its most complete expression. 1 Peter 2:6 quotes Isaiah 28:16, which was a message of judgment to the proud drunkards of Ephraim (Is 28:1) and the scoffers of Jerusalem (Is 28:14), who boasted about their respective covenants with false gods as refuges from the Assyrian scourge. God laid a precious, tested cornerstone in Zion, the place of his presence, as a sure foundation for faithful believers (cf. Ps 48:8). That stone, said Peter, was now Christ (NT references agree with the LXX's messianic addition "in him"), the unique son of the only living God (Mt 16:18), who was crucified by men but chosen by the Father and precious to him and believers (cf. Jn 17:5, 24; 1 Pet 1:19–20; Rev 13:8). Believers, Peter adds, are living stones that are building a spiritual house (the new temple), offering acceptable sacrifices based on historically validated faith and hope. The corner/foundation stone (themelios) functionally determined the basis and orientation of the building, so that God's blueprint for creation and redemption rested on the accomplishments of Christ. Peter [307] added a quotation from Psalm 118:22 to affirm that God's foundation stone that unbelievers had rejected had become the capstone of completion that vindicated believers and condemned unbelievers according to the decree of God (also quoting Is 8:14). In short, Jesus is both foundation of God's holy city and fulfiller of its blueprint by securing believers according to the divine plan.
    In Romans 9:32–33 Paul conflated Isaiah 8:14 and 28:16 to underscore Israel's lack of faith. Ephesians 2:20–21 welcomed all believers to God's household that is being built on Christ as cornerstone and the apostles and prophets as foundation stones (also Mt 16:18). The personalized temple is being built on and in Christ to become indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
    In summary, God's plan for creation is the basis or foundation of the heavens and the earth, the nation, Zion and its temple, which are fulfilled in Christ, who is completing the plan through chosen believers. The new creation and holy city in Revelation 21 confirm the security of faith, hope and love in the household of God (1 Tim 6:17–19). All alternatives to these truths are "houses built of clay on foundations of dust" (Job 4:19).
    See also BUILD, BUILDING; CITY; CORNERSTONE; COSMOLOGY; ROCK; STONE; TEMPLE; ZION.

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Regards,
Ryan Chia

Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Mission exists
because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is
ultimate, not man.

*From John Piper, Let The Nations Be Glad*