Edgar Cayce's Sacred Stones: The A-Z Guide to Working with Gems to Enhance Your Life and Health - Shelley Kaehr 2015

Cornerstone
Stones of the Bible
Part Three

In biblical times, a cornerstone was used as a foundation for an entire structure. Once the cornerstone was in place, it provided the stability needed for the rest of the building. If left out or placed improperly, the entire foundation and structure would crumble. Once in place, the rest of the building would conform to the size, angle, and shape of the cornerstone.

Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; Job 38:6

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. Psalm 118:22

. . . that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: Psalm 144:12

Messianic prophecy describes the Messiah as a cornerstone:

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. Isaiah 28:16

And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 51:26

The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. Zechariah 9:15

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous [sic] in our eyes? Matthew 21:42

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: Mark 12:10

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Luke 20:17

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Acts 4:11

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Ephesians 2:20

The apostle Peter spoke of Jesus as a cornerstone:

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 1 Peter 2:6

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, 1 Peter 2:7

The metaphor of constructing a house on a solid cornerstone to tell the people about the importance of Jesus communicated the message in a way they could understand. The idea of a good foundation is still powerful today as a symbol for the importance of Christ in the church.