Foundation

The place of foundations in building

1 Kings 5:17 ESV

At the king’s command they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones.

Jericho rebuilt:

Jos 6:26; 1 Ki 16:34

Solomon builds the temple:

1 Ki 6:37; 1 Ki 7:10; 2 Ch 3:3; 2 Ch 8:16

Ezr 3:3; Ezr 3:11–12; Ezr 4:12 restoring the walls of Jerusalem; Ezr 5:16; Ezr 6:3; Job 4:19; Is 44:28; Eze 41:8; Hag 2:18; Zec 4:9; Zec 8:9; Ac 16:26

Destruction of foundations is an indication of divine judgment

Lamentations 4:11 ESV

The Lord gave full vent to his wrath; he poured out his hot anger, and he kindled a fire in Zion that consumed its foundations.

See also Dt 32:22; 2 Sa 22:16; Je 51:25–26; Eze 13:14; Eze 30:4; Mic 1:6

The foundation of the church

Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

See also Is 28:16

The apostles and prophets

Ro 15:20; 1 Co 3:10; Eph 2:19–20

The church as the foundation of God’s truth

1 Timothy 3:14–15 ESV

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

See also 2 Ti 2:19

Obedience as a secure foundation

Matthew 7:24–27 ESV

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

See also Job 22:15–18; 1 Co 3:12–15; 1 Ti 6:18–19

The foundation of the earth

Psalm 102:25 ESV

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

See also Is 48:13; 1 Sa 2:8; Is 51:16; Heb 1:10; Ps 24:1–2; Pr 8:22–31; Ps 82:5; Zec 12:1; Job 38:4; Ps 18:7; Ps 18:15; Is 51:13; Mic 6:2

The foundations of the city of God

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

See also Re 21:14; Re 21:19

Figurative use of foundation

God himself as the foundation

Isaiah 33:5–6 ESV

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.

The foundation of God’s throne

Psalm 89:14 ESV

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

See also Ps 97:2

The need for a firm foundation in the Christian life

Mt 7:24–27; Mt 16:18; Eph 2:19–22; Heb 6:1–2; 1 Pe 2:4–5