The Nail

THE NAIL

“Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail.”  (Zechariah 10:4)

            Having spent quite a few of my earlier years as a carpenter, I am always intrigued by words in the Bible that mention something about this trade.  Hence, “nail” was one that aroused my curiosity.

            First, we must determine the antecedent of “nail” to learn its meaning.  The context shows us it is Judah.  The “corner” or cornerstone will come from this tribe.  We see by cross referencing Isaiah 28:16, Romans 9:32; I Corinthians 1:23; I Peter 2:6-8 and Ephesians 2:20 that the prophet Zechariah is speaking of the “chief cornerstone” who would come out of Judah is none other than Jesus Christ.

            But, “the nail” is also coming out of Judah.  What is Zechariah telling us?  To answer this we must compare it with other Scriptures.  Turning to Isaiah 22:21 we learn about Eliakim.  However, as is often the case, this passage goes far beyond Eliakim.  It speaks of one who will become very special to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the house of Judah.  As the head of government he will have the key of the house of David, and “I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place: and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.  And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house” (Isaiah 22:23b-24a).

            To comprehend this passage we must consider a passage in Genesis 31.  Jacob and Rachel had left Laban, she had stolen her father’s idols, and he came looking for them.  Rachel had put them in the camel’s furniture and sat on them, preventing Laban from finding them.  These idols were always hung on a nail that was fastened to the center post of the tent and received all the glory of those entering the house.

            By going back to Isaiah 22, we find that all the glory of His Father’s house will hang upon this one.  Guess who it is!  Both Isaiah and Zechariah are portraying Jesus Christ as the one who is the “nail” upon whom all the glory of God is to be focused.

            The question we must ask ourselves is this.  Do we allow Him to be the “nail,” the very center of our lives?  Dr. Fred H. Hartman serves as an itinerant Bible teacher, and is a contributor to REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 8:14-34; Mark 4-5; Psalm 95; Proverbs 12

Compass Pointers: When spiritual comfort is sent to you by God, take it humbly and give thanks meekly for it. But know for certain that it is the great goodness of God that sends it to you, and not because you deserve it. See to it, then, that you are not lifted up to pride because of the comfort, and that you do not rejoice too much in it or presume vainly in it; instead, seek to be more humble for so noble a gift, and the more watchful and fearful in all your works. That time of comfort will pass away, and the time of temptation will follow shortly after. It is not a good policy to let your lusts bear arms, which are sure to rise and declare against you. Thomas a Kempis

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:13-14; Level 2: John 14:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: Within God’s limitations prayer is unlimited. J. Edwin Hartill