9/10 Isaiah 28:16

16 therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'"


This verse is quoted by Peter and Paul in the New Testament as a prophecy of Jesus (Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6). They combined the prediction of Jesus with another verse: "Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame." Isaiah transcribed this passage as God speaking to the corrupt rulers of Jerusalem who thought they would escape the judgment that God was sending.

Before addressing the rulers, God spoke to any who would listen. Only those who trusted in the Word of God would not have to flee in haste. The tried, precious, and sure cornerstone is God's Word. It is truth. It was incarnated in Jesus, and that is why the New Testament authors felt free to change the wording of the promise and apply it to Jesus. "Put to shame" comes from Isaiah 49:23. Those who wait for the Lord will not be put to shame. In citing these two verses as they did, Peter and Paul were saying they knew Jesus to be the Word, the LORD.

The rulers of Jerusalem in Jesus' day trusted in lies like the ones in the days of Isaiah. They were swept away by Rome, just as those in Jerusalem were swept away by Babylon. The prophecy is fulfilled again and again. Those who put their trust in Jesus, the Word, the LORD, will be on a sure foundation. Whatever comes, their souls will be safe. Those who reject Him have placed their faith in what cannot save and were warned that they would be swept away by the waters of judgment. Perhaps Jesus was thinking of these passages when He told the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock and the foolish man that built his on the sand (Matthew 7:24-27).

Consider: It is of utmost importance to know where your faith is placed. Is it in the tested, sure, and precious Word of God or in the lies of this world?