The Foundation

Ezra 3:8–13 KJV 1900

8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord. 9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. 10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: 13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

Reason

The Reason was to commemorate the foundation. The first stone.

We meet many times a week to celebrate a greater Stone. The Stone that the builders disallowed.

Mark 12:1–12 (KJV 1900)

And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. 2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. 4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. 5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. 6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. 7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. 8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. 10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11 This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Psalm 118:22–24 KJV 1900

22 The stone which the builders refused Is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Isaiah 28:16 AV 1873

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, A tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: He that believeth shall not make haste.

Mark 12:10–11 KJV 1900

10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11 This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Acts 4:11 KJV 1900

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

1 Peter 2:7 KJV 1900

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Recital

Psalm 136 KJV 1900

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: For his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: For his mercy endureth for ever. 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: For his mercy endureth for ever. 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: For his mercy endureth for ever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: For his mercy endureth for ever. 7 To him that made great lights: For his mercy endureth for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day: For his mercy endureth for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: For his mercy endureth for ever. 10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: For his mercy endureth for ever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: For his mercy endureth for ever: 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: For his mercy endureth for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: For his mercy endureth for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: For his mercy endureth for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: For his mercy endureth for ever. 16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: For his mercy endureth for ever. 17 To him which smote great kings: For his mercy endureth for ever: 18 And slew famous kings: For his mercy endureth for ever: 19 Sihon king of the Amorites: For his mercy endureth for ever: 20 And Og the king of Bashan: For his mercy endureth for ever: 21 And gave their land for an heritage: For his mercy endureth for ever: 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: For his mercy endureth for ever. 23 Who remembered us in our low estate: For his mercy endureth for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: For his mercy endureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: For his mercy endureth for ever. 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: For his mercy endureth for ever.

Ephesians 5:19 KJV 1900

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16 KJV 1900

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

How great the chasm that lay between us How high the mountain I could not climb In desperation, I turned to heaven And spoke your name into the night Then through the darkness Your loving kindness Tore through the shadows of my soul The work is finished, the end is written Jesus Christ, my living hope

Who could imagine so great a mercy? What heart could fathom such boundless grace? The God of ages stepped down from glory To wear my sin and bear my shame The cross has spoken, I am forgiven The king of kings calls me His own Beautiful savior, I'm yours forever Jesus Christ, my living hope

Reaction

Haggai 2:9 KJV 1900

9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: And in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 4:10 KJV 1900

10 For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; They are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

You should cherish the great things God has done in the past, and even the way He did it.

“Never despise what and how God is using His Word in local Churches today!”