Bricks appear in the Bible as tools of construction, often symbolizing human effort and ambition. Today, we’ll look at the significance of bricks in Biblical stories and what they teach us about reliance on God.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Bribes
What Does The Bible Say About Bricks
Genesis 11:3
“They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.”
This verse describes the use of bricks by the people of Babel as a building material. It highlights their decision to use bricks instead of stone, indicating their determination to create something sturdy and lasting.
The act of baking the bricks thoroughly also suggests careful craftsmanship and attention to detail. This verse showcases human ingenuity and the desire to create through the use of bricks as a construction material.
Exodus 1:14
“They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.”
In this verse, we see the Israelites being subjected to harsh labor in making bricks as part of their enslavement in Egypt. The act of making bricks was used as a means of exerting control and oppression over them.
The use of brick and mortar symbolizes the foundation upon which the Egyptians built their structures, both physically and metaphorically. It represents the Israelites’ suffering and the cruel treatment they endured under the hands of their oppressors.
Exodus 5:7-8
“You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’”
In this passage, Pharaoh increases the burden on the Israelites by demanding the same quota of bricks but without providing them with the necessary materials. This further highlights the oppressive conditions they were forced to endure.
Pharaoh accuses the Israelites of being lazy, using their desire to worship their God as an excuse to demand their freedom. The demand for bricks represents the Israelites’ struggle for liberation and their longing to be released from bondage.
Joshua 6:20
“When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.”
In this verse, the Israelites, under the command of Joshua, witness the miraculous collapse of the walls of Jericho. The walls, made of bricks, were seen as a barrier that prevented their entry into the city.
Through faith and obedience, the Israelites trusted in God’s power to bring down these fortified walls. The collapse of the bricks symbolizes the victory of God’s people over their enemies and the fulfillment of His promises.
2 Samuel 12:31
“He brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes, and he made them work at brickmaking. David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then he and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.”
This verse recounts King David’s victory over the Ammonite people. As part of their defeat, David subjected the captured Ammonites to hard labor, including brickmaking.
David’s enforcement of brickmaking demonstrates his firm control over the conquered nation. It signifies their servitude and humiliation, reinforcing David’s dominance as a conqueror.
Nehemiah 4:10
“Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.””
During the process of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the people of Judah faced challenges and discouragement. The excessive rubble made it difficult to reconstruct the wall’s foundation.
The mention of the rubble highlights the significance of bricks as building materials. The daunting task before them illustrates the determination and perseverance required to overcome obstacles and rebuild a strong foundation.
Isaiah 9:10
“The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”
Isaiah 9:10 reflects the arrogant and prideful response of the people of Israel after experiencing judgment and destruction. Despite their turmoil, they boastfully proclaim their determination to rebuild using more durable materials such as dressed stone.
This verse serves as a warning against self-reliance and the tendency to trust in human efforts rather than seeking repentance and reconciliation with God.
Ezekiel 4:1-3
“Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you, and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the people of Israel.”
In this passage, Ezekiel is instructed by God to enact a symbolic prophecy of the siege of Jerusalem. He does this by using a block of clay to represent the city and building siege works around it.
The use of bricks and an iron pan emphasizes the strength and fortification of Jerusalem, while the act of besieging it signifies impending judgment and destruction. This prophecy served as a warning to the people of Israel of the consequences of their disobedience.
Amos 5:11
“You trample on the poor and force him to give you grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine.”
Amos 5:11 exposes the injustice and exploitation prevailing among God’s people. The wealthy oppressors take advantage of the poor, amassing wealth and constructing luxurious stone mansions.
However, God promises judgment and deprivation for them, declaring that they will not enjoy the fruits of their ill-gotten wealth. This verse serves as a reminder of God’s concern for justice and His condemnation of those who mistreat and exploit others.
Zephaniah 1:13
“Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. They will build houses but not live in them; they will plant vineyards but not drink the wine.”
Zephaniah 1:13 reiterates the consequences of the people’s rebellion against God. Despite their efforts to accumulate wealth and construct houses, the prophet declares that their riches will be plundered, and their dwellings destroyed.
These words serve as a warning of the impending judgment and the futility of human attempts to secure prosperity and security apart from God’s favor.
Luke 20:17
“Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?”
This verse records Jesus’ question to the religious leaders regarding the parable of the wicked tenants. He quotes from Psalm 118:22, pointing out the fulfillment of Scripture as He establishes Himself as the rejected stone that becomes the cornerstone of God’s Kingdom.
Jesus’ statement emphasizes His identity as the cornerstone, the foundation upon which God’s redemption plan is built. It reveals the significance of His rejection and subsequent exaltation for all who will believe in Him.
1 Peter 2:4-5
“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
In this passage, Peter refers to Jesus as the living stone, echoing the imagery of the cornerstone. He highlights the rejection Christ faced by humans but emphasizes His divine election and preciousness to God.
Believers are then likened to living stones, being built into a spiritual house and a holy priesthood. This imagery portrays the unity and purpose of the Church, connected to Christ as their cornerstone, and offering spiritual sacrifices through Him.
Matthew 7:24-25
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.”
Jesus uses the metaphor of building a house on a solid foundation to emphasize the importance of hearing and obeying His teachings. Those who heed His words and put them into practice are compared to the wise man who builds his house on a rock.
When trials and challenges come, their faith and lives remain firm because they have established their foundation on the unshakeable truth of Christ. This verse encourages believers to build their lives on the solid foundation of God’s Word.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Paul, in this passage, describes himself as a wise builder who laid the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ among the Corinthians. He emphasizes the importance of subsequent builders, the believers, being careful in how they build upon this foundation.
Paul clarifies that Jesus Christ is the only foundation that can be laid, highlighting the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ for salvation and spiritual growth. This verse emphasizes the need for believers to build their lives and ministries upon the solid foundation of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:4
“and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.”
Paul uses the example of the Israelites in the wilderness to illustrate spiritual truths. Here, he refers to the Israelites drinking water from the rock that accompanied them, symbolizing Christ as the spiritual Rock.
This verse emphasizes that Christ was present with the Israelites throughout their journey and that He is the source of spiritual sustenance. It highlights His provision and the connection between the Old Testament experiences and the person of Christ in the New Testament.
Ephesians 2:19-20
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”
Paul, in this passage, reminds the Ephesian Christians of their identity as part of God’s family. He declares that they are no longer outsiders but citizens and members of God’s household.
Furthermore, Paul emphasizes that they are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone. This imagery underscores the unity and interconnectedness of believers, established in Christ as their foundation.
Hebrews 6:1-2
“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”
The author of Hebrews encourages believers to progress from the basics of faith and mature spiritually. They are encouraged to move beyond the foundational teachings and pursue deeper understanding and growth.
This passage lists several elementary teachings that form the initial foundation of faith. It highlights the importance of these teachings while urging believers to continually build upon them, seeking a more profound understanding of God’s Word.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Paul advises Timothy to instruct the wealthy believers to have the right perspective regarding their wealth. He encourages them not to place their hope in riches, which are temporary and uncertain, but rather in God who generously provides all things.
These verses highlight the importance of using wealth for good, exhibiting generosity, and being willing to share. By doing so, believers can lay up treasure for themselves as a solid foundation for eternal life, prioritizing the things that truly matter and aligning with God’s purposes.
Revelation 21:14
“The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
In John’s vision of the New Jerusalem, he witnesses a grand city with walls that have twelve foundations, each bearing the names of the twelve apostles.
This imagery signifies the integral role that the apostles played in spreading the Gospel and establishing the Church. It represents the firm and unshakable foundation of the faith, built upon the teachings and ministry of the apostles.
Psalm 118:22
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
This verse appears in the Psalms and is later quoted by Jesus in the New Testament. It speaks of a stone that was rejected by the builders but ultimately became the cornerstone.
Metaphorically, this stone represents Jesus Christ, who was rejected by some but chosen by God to be the foundation and cornerstone of His Kingdom. It highlights God’s sovereign plan and shows that what may be despised or disregarded by humans can hold significant value and importance in God’s eyes.