348 VISIONS AND PROPHECIES OF ZECHARIAH
both by Himself and by the apostles. 1 But the question is, What is implied in it? Writing as I do here, primarily for Christians, and in the full light which the New Testa ment revelation casts upon the ancient prophecies in the Old Testament, I would say that the first and most obvious truth which the Spirit of God would have us learn from this figure is that the Messiah is the sure foundation of " the House of God, which is the Church of the living God."
For the safety and stability of a building almost every thing depends on the foundation. The plan and material may be ever so perfect ; the ornamentation ever so elaborate and beautiful but all is of no avail if the foundation be sand, for it cannot abide the storm or flood. On the other hand, the materials of a building may be of more humble quality, the ornamentation may be less elaborate or plain ; but if the foundation be sound, the rain may descend, the floods come, and the winds blow and beat upon that house, it will not fall, for it is built upon a rock. Now the great God, the Divine Architect of the universe, has purposed within Himself from all eternity to raise out of frail, im perfect, human materials a glorious Temple for His own eternal habitation through the Spirit, which, when completed, shall show forth, even more than the material temple of the universe, to principalities and powers the infinite power and manifold wisdom of God ; and in order to ensure its eternal safety He has bestowed great care on the foundation. He Himself has laid it : " Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation," for it is a task which could not be entrusted to, or accom plished by, men or angels.
And the " tried " and " precious " corner-stone which He laid as the basis of this mystical structure is His own Son, who is " perfected for evermore," against whom even the gates of hell shall not prevail.
This accounts for the continuance and immovableness of the Church of Christ, in spite of the many storms it has had to brave, and the insidious attacks from enemies and false friends. Let the storm rage ; let infidelity assail ; let
1 Matt. xxi. 42 ; Acts iv. 1 1 ; I Pet. ii. 4-8.
