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Grounding Examples and Stories in Biblical Authority

The concept of "foundation" in biblical thought frequently refers to the literal base of a structure, but it also extends to metaphorical applications, signifying the underlying support or origin of various entities [1]. For instance, the earth itself is described as having foundations laid by God [1, 7]. This imagery is used to convey stability and divine establishment.

In a literal sense, foundations are the lowest part of a building upon which it rests [1]. Biblical texts describe foundations being laid for cities, walls, houses, and temples [1]. These foundations were often made of stone, deeply laid, and strongly constructed, sometimes joined by cornerstones [1]. The prophet Micah speaks of Samaria's foundations being uncovered as a sign of its destruction, illustrating the vulnerability of even well-built structures when divine judgment is at hand [2].

Metaphorically, the term "foundation" is applied to a wide range of concepts. The heavens, the world, mountains, and even the ocean are depicted as having foundations [1]. This usage emphasizes the divine ordering and support of creation. The book of 1 Samuel declares that "the pillars of the earth are Yahweh’s; He has set the world on them," further underscoring God's role as the ultimate sustainer [6]. The Psalmist also affirms God's role in laying the foundation of the earth [7]. This divine power and goodness are presented as grounds for confidence, as God controls the mightiest agencies of nature and nations [10].

In theological discourse, the idea of a foundation is crucial for understanding the stability and authority of Christian faith and practice. The apostle Paul frequently employs architectural metaphors, particularly in his letters to the Ephesians and Corinthians, to describe the church and its doctrines. In Ephesians 2:20, believers are described as "built up upon" the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone [11]. This imagery suggests that the teachings of the apostles and prophets, which bear witness to Christ, form the essential basis for the church's existence and growth. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Ephesians 2:20 notes that this image was naturally suggested by the splendid architecture of Diana's temple in Ephesus, contrasting its idolatrous glory with the eternal and real glory of the Christian temple [11]. The same commentary also points out that the image of a building was appropriate for Jewish Christians, as the temple in Jerusalem was the stronghold of Judaism [11].

The concept of being "rooted and built up" is also found in Colossians 2:7, where "rooted" implies vitality and "built up" signifies massive solidity [16]. These two images, along with "walking," convey different aspects of spiritual growth and stability [16]. The past tense of "rooted" suggests the initial conversion and vital grafting of believers [16].

The John Gill Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12 discusses the different "materials" that can be built upon the foundation of Christ, comparing them to "gold, silver, precious stones" for their intrinsic worth, purity, and durability [14]. These materials represent sound doctrines that are valuable and enriching to believers [14]. Conversely, other materials like "wood, hay, stubble" represent doctrines or practices that are less substantial and will not endure the test of fire [14]. This highlights the importance of building upon a solid, divinely established foundation with teachings that align with its nature.

The authority of God's word is frequently presented as the ultimate foundation. The Matthew Henry Commentary on Zechariah 12:1 describes the "burden of the word of the Lord" as a divine prediction that is weighty and pressing in its accomplishment, serving as a comfort and benefit to Israel [15]. This emphasizes that God's pronouncements are not arbitrary but carry inherent authority and consequence.

Biblical narratives and examples also serve as foundational elements for understanding God's character and His dealings with humanity. For instance, the practice of "early rising" is exemplified by Christ, who rose early for devotion, and by numerous biblical figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, David, and Mary [3]. This practice is presented as requisite for devotion, executing God's commands, and discharging daily duties, while neglect of it can lead to poverty [3]. These examples provide a practical foundation for godly living, demonstrating principles through the lives of individuals.

Past experiences of God's people also form a ground of trust [13]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Psalms 22:4 notes that the mention of "our fathers" does not diminish the applicability of these words to Christ's human nature, suggesting a continuity of faith and reliance on God across generations [13]. This historical continuity provides a foundational narrative for believers, assuring them of God's faithfulness.

The idea of God's omnipresence and omnipotence is also foundational to biblical understanding. Jeremiah 23:24, interpreted by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, speaks of God filling "heaven and earth" with His omniscience, providence, power, and essential being [12]. This pervasive presence means that no one can hide from God, and His authority extends over all creation [12]. This understanding underpins the entire biblical worldview, establishing God as the supreme authority and ultimate ground of all reality.

The term "parable" itself, derived from the Hebrew "mashal" or "mishal," can mean "governing" or "parables" [4, 8]. This connection suggests that parables, as stories or examples, are not merely illustrative but also carry a governing or authoritative function, guiding understanding and behavior. Joseph's dream of his brothers' sheaves bowing down to his sheaf, for example, was a prophetic parable that foreshadowed his future authority [5]. Similarly, Jacob's decision to build an altar at Bethel after God answered him in distress established a foundational act of worship and remembrance [9]. These stories serve as authoritative precedents and illustrations of divine principles.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Foundation — The lowest part of a building, and on which it rests -- Lu 14:29; Ac 16:26. Figuratively applied to The heavens. -- 2Sa 22:8. The earth. -- Job 38:4; Ps 104:5. The world. -- Ps 18:15; Mt 13:35. The mountains. -- De 32:22. The ocean. -- Ps 104:8. Kingdoms. -- Ex 9:18. Laid for Cities. -- Jos 6:26; 1Ki 16:34. Walls. -- Ezr 4:12; Re 21:14. Houses. -- Lu 6:48. Temples. -- 1Ki 6:37; Ezr 3:10. Towers. -- Lu 14:28,29. Described as Of stone. -- 1Ki 5:17. Deep laid. -- Lu 6:48. Strongly laid. -- Ezr 6:3. Joined together by corner stones. -- Ezr 4:12; 1Pe 2:6; Eph”
  2. Micah “Therefore I will make Samaria like a rubble heap of the field, like places for planting vineyards; and I will pour down its stones into the valley, and I will uncover its foundations. -- Micah 1:6”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  4. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Mishal — parables; governing”
  5. Genesis “for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves came around, and bowed down to my sheaf.” -- Genesis 37:7”
  6. 1 Samuel “He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill, To make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh’s. He has set the world on them. -- 1 Samuel 2:8”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — The world in general -- Ge 1:2. The dry land as divided from waters -- Ge 1:10. God Created. -- Ge 1:1; Ne 9:6. Laid the foundation of. -- Job 38:4; Ps 102:25. Formed. -- Ps 90:2. Spread abroad. -- Isa 42:5; 44:24. Suspended in space. -- Job 26:7. Supports. -- Ps 75:3. Establishes. -- Ps 78:69; 119:90. Enlightens. -- Ge 1:14-16; Jer 33:25. Waters. -- Ps 65:9; 147:8. Makes fruitful. -- Ge 1:11; 27:28. Inspects. -- Zec 4:10. Governs supremely. -- Job 34:13; Ps 135:6. Reigns in. -- Ex 8:22; Ps 97:1. Shall be exalted in. -- Ps 46:10. Is the Lord's -- Ex 9:”
  8. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Mashal — a parable; governing”
  9. Genesis “Let us arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.” -- Genesis 35:3”
  10. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 65:6: God's great power and goodness are the grounds of this confidence. These are illustrated in His control of the mightiest agencies of nature and nations affecting men with awe and dread (Psa 26:7; Psa 98:1, &c.), and in His fertilizing showers, causing the earth to produce abundantly for man and beast.”
  11. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 2:20: Translate as Greek, "Built up upon," &c. (participle; having been built up upon; omit, therefore, "and are"). Compare Co1 3:11-12. The same image in Eph 3:18, recurs in his address to the Ephesian elders (Act 20:32), and in his Epistle to Timothy at Ephesus (Ti1 3:15; Ti2 2:19), naturally suggested by the splendid architecture of Diana's temple; the glory of the Christian temple is eternal and real, not mere idolatrous gaud. The image of a building is appropriate also to the Jew-Christians; as the temple at Jerusalem was the stronghold of Judaism; a”
  12. Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 23:24: (Psa 139:7, &c.; Amo 9:2-3). fill heaven and earth--with My omniscience providence, power, and essential being (Kg1 8:27).”
  13. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 22:4: Past experience of God's people is a ground of trust. The mention of "our fathers" does not destroy the applicability of the words as the language of our Saviour's human nature.”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:12: Now if any man build upon this foundation,.... The different materials laid by one and the same man, on this foundation, or the different doctrines advanced upon it, are some of them comparable to gold, silver, precious stones; for their intrinsic worth and value; for the purity and sincerity of them; for their weight, importance, solidity, and substantiality; for their durableness; for the great esteem they are had in by those, who know the worth of them; and for the great usefulness they are of unto them, being rich in themselves, and enriching to them; and”
  15. Zechariah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Zechariah 12:1: Here is, I. The title of this charter of promises made to God's Israel; it is the burden of the word of the Lord, a divine prediction; it is of weight in the delivery of it; it is to be pressed upon people, and will be very pressing in the accomplishment of it; it is a burden, a heavy burden, to all the church's enemies, like that talent of lead, Zac 5:7, Zac 5:8. But it is for Israel; it is for their comfort and benefit. As even the fiery law (Deu 33:2), so the fiery prophecies and fiery providences that come from God's right hand, come for them; the word that”
  16. Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 2:7: Rooted-- (Eph 3:17). built up--Greek, "being builded up." As "rooted" implies their vitality; so "builded up," massive solidity. As in the Song of Solomon, when one image is not sufficient to express the varied aspects of divine truth, another is employed to supply the idea required. Thus "walking," a third image (Col 2:6), expresses the thought which "rooted" and "built," though each suggesting a thought peculiar to itself, could not express, namely, onward motion. "Rooted" is in the past tense, implying their first conversion and vital grafting ”
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