"The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes."Psalms 118:22-23 ; "Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily."Isaiah 28:16 ; "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."John 15:18

These first two scriptures are speaking of the same "Stone", the prophesied Messiah (Jesus), the "head of the corner". This stone is laid in Zion, a common synonym for Jerusalem, where mount Zion rests. The stone is "tried", that is, tested in every way that a stone can be; the stone is precious and excellent to be set as a sure, reliable, accurate, even everlasting foundation, and a stone which is prepared and set in place by God, Himself. Can you think of a "Stone" more perfect or beautiful than our Messiah? Yet this same "stone" is rejected by the "builders"; but also believed in by others, who will not act hastily. The Hebrew word for "rejected", “ma-as”,is also denoted by it. So the "Messiah", the "Chief Cornerstone" of God is spurned, abhorred, held in contempt, and rejected. Now the builders are the ones who ought to know a good stone for building when they see one. They're responsible for the quality of the building. But this precious cornerstone is abhorred and cast away by them; very sad and irresponsible. Yet the prophet clearly predicts this stone will become the "Chief Cornerstone", even though rejected by the builders -- and that it will be marvelous in the eyes of some...and these will not "make haste"; the Hebrew "chuwsh" means to hurry, or even "to flee in alarm". Apparently these, who believe, will be at peace, they will be relaxed. Brothers & Sisters, the Lord Jesus said that our identification with Him would cause us to be hated and rejected too. And in this world there are quite a few modern "builders" who have also rejected the "Chief Cornerstone", so we can expect that they will reject and abhor us who belong to Him. But the prophet said that believers in this Precious Cornerstone will not make haste, or flee in terror; instead, their belief, their faith, their trust will make them relaxed. Is that you? REJECTED? RELAX...