In the Bible, “foursquare” refers to something that is square or having four sides. It is often used to describe dimensions in the context of the Temple or other structures, symbolizing completeness and stability, such as in Revelation 21:16 where the New Jerusalem is described as having a perfect square shape.
Scripture
1 “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.
2 And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze.
3 Five cubits shall be the length of the one curtain, and five cubits the breadth of the one curtain for the first set of curtains, and five cubits the length of the one curtain, and five cubits the breadth of the one curtain for the second set of curtains.
4 You shall make for it a grating of network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners.
5 You shall put it under the ledge of the altar so that the net shall extend halfway down the altar.
6 You shall make poles for the altar, a net of bronze network, to be set halfway up the altar.
7 And you shall put it under the ledge of the altar so that the net shall extend halfway down the altar.
8 It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
Biblical Meaning of “Foursquare”
In the Bible, the term “foursquare” carries significant implications beyond its literal geometric meaning. The concept of being “foursquare,” which suggests stability and completeness, is frequently associated with the idea of divine order. In Revelation 21:16, when the New Jerusalem is described as having dimensions that are equal in length, width, and height, it symbolizes not just architectural perfection but also the completeness of God’s kingdom. This four-sided figure can be seen as a representation of God’s omnipresence, as it is a perfect cube, reflecting the four corners of the earth and, thus, God’s authority over all creation.
Moreover, the appearance of “foursquare” structures is often tied to notions of covenant and divine promise. In the context of the Old Testament, the tabernacle and later the temple were also designed to reflect this fourfold symmetry, underscoring the idea that such spaces are where heaven and earth meet. This invites believers to consider their lives in light of God’s order and perfection, encouraging them to align their lives with the righteous path outlined in scripture. The concept of being “foursquare” transcends the mere physical and offers a metaphor for a life that is solid, balanced, and rooted in faith, reflecting the steadfast love and faithfulness of God as exemplified in verses like Psalm 18:2, where the Lord is referred to as a fortress, emphasizing safety and stability.
The concept of “foursquare” also suggests the notion of integrity and wholeness within spiritual contexts. While individual characteristics of faith may be diverse, the ideal model of a believer is one that exhibits a balanced manifestation of virtues, akin to the four corners of a square providing a base. This wholeness is vital for the health of both the individual and the community of faith. In various scriptural accounts, believers are often called to embody qualities such as love, justice, mercy, and humility—each representing a side of the spiritual “square” that contributes to a well-rounded character.
Furthermore, “foursquare” can symbolize the unity among the diverse aspects of the faith journey. Just as the four corners of a square converge to create a solid structure, believers are encouraged to integrate various elements of their spiritual experiences—worship, service, study, and community. This unity underscores the body of Christ, where all members, despite differences, come together to serve a common purpose according to God’s divine plan. It paints a picture of a faithful life that is robust and resilient, standing firm amidst life’s challenges, much like a physical square can provide a stable foundation. This unity and completeness embody the ideal relationship between God and His people, illustrating a harmonious existence reflective of the divine order His creation intends.
Symbol of Completeness and Perfection
In biblical literature, the term “foursquare” often symbolizes completeness and perfection. The concept of a square, with its equal sides and angles, represents balance and harmony. This idea can be extended to the nature of God and His creation, suggesting that everything He creates is perfect and complete in its design and purpose. The use of “foursquare” can thus be seen as a metaphor for the divine order and the ideal state of existence that God intends for His people.
Representation of Stability and Security
“Foursquare” can also signify stability and security. A square structure is inherently stable due to its equal dimensions and strong angles, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the strength and reliability of God’s promises and His covenant with humanity. This notion of stability is crucial in biblical contexts, where faith in God provides a firm foundation for believers, allowing them to withstand life’s challenges and uncertainties.
Reflection of Community and Unity
Additionally, “foursquare” can reflect the idea of community and unity among believers. The concept of being “foursquare” suggests a gathering of individuals who are aligned in purpose and faith, much like the corners of a square that come together to form a cohesive whole. This interpretation emphasizes the importance of fellowship and collective worship within the body of Christ, highlighting how unity among believers is essential for spiritual growth and the fulfillment of God’s mission on earth.
How to Embrace Divine Presence in Everyday Life
Embracing the divine presence in our everyday lives is a beautiful journey that invites us to cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s love and guidance in every moment. Start by setting aside intentional time for prayer and reflection, allowing yourself to connect with God in the quiet of your heart. As you go about your daily routines, practice mindfulness—whether it’s savoring your morning coffee or appreciating the beauty of nature around you—recognize these moments as opportunities to encounter the divine. Incorporate gratitude into your day; take a moment to thank God for the small blessings, as well as the challenges that shape your character. Surround yourself with uplifting scripture and community, as these can serve as reminders of God’s presence. Remember, it’s in the ordinary that the extraordinary often reveals itself, so keep your heart open and watch for the ways God is working in your life, guiding you to be a beacon of His love to others.
Bible References to the Meaning of “Foursquare”:
Exodus 28:15-30: 15 “You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it—of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen shall you make it.
16 It shall be square and doubled, a span its length and a span its breadth.
17 You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row;
18 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald;
19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
20 and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree.
21 There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.
22 You shall make on the breastpiece twisted chains like cords, of pure gold.
23 You shall make on the breastpiece two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two edges of the breastpiece.
24 and you shall put the two cords of gold in the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece.
25 And the other two ends of the two cords you shall attach to the two settings of filigree, and so attach it in front to the shoulder pieces of the ephod.
26 And you shall make two rings of gold, and attach them to the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at its front, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod.
27 And you shall make two rings of gold, and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at its seam above the skillfully woven band of the ephod.
28 And they shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it may lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod.
29 So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord.
30 And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the Lord. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly.
Exodus 30:1-10: 1 “You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood.
2 A cubit shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it.
3 You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it.
4 A golden altar, a holy anointing oil, and a fragrant incense.
5 And you shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
6 And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you.
7 And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it,
8 And when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations.
9 You shall not offer unauthorized incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering, and you shall not pour a drink offering on it.
10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement, he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord.”
Exodus 37:25-28: 25 He made the altar of incense of acacia wood.
26 And he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold around it.
27 And he made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the mercy seat.
28 He overlaid the cherubim with gold.
Exodus 38:1-7: 1 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood.
2 And he made horns for it on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze.
3 And he made all the utensils of the altar, the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its utensils of bronze.
4 He made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze, under its ledge, extending halfway down.
5 They made the altar of acacia wood. It was square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high.
6 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.
7 And he put the poles through the rings on the sides of the altar to carry it with them. He made it hollow, with boards.
1 Kings 7:27-37: 27 He made ten stands of bronze. Each stand was four cubits long, four cubits wide, and three cubits high.
28 And the four wheels were underneath the panels. The axles of the wheels were of one piece with the panels, and the height of a wheel was a cubit and a half.
29 And on the panels that were set in the frames were lions, oxen, and cherubim. Upon the frames, both above and below the lions and oxen, there were wreaths of beveled work.
30 And each stand had four bronze wheels and axles of bronze, and at the four corners were supports for a basin. The supports were cast with wreaths at the side of each.
31 Its opening was within a crown that projected upward one cubit from it. Its opening was round, as a pedestal is made, a cubit and a half deep. And also on its opening there were engravings, and their panels were square, not round.
32 And the four wheels were underneath the panels. The axles of the wheels were of one piece with the stands, and the height of a wheel was a cubit and a half.
33 The wheels were made like a chariot wheel; their axles, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all cast.
34 And there were four supports at the four corners of each stand. The supports were of one piece with the stands.
35 He set up the stands on the right side of the house, and when he had set up the sea on the right side of the house, the south side of the house was finished.
36 For on the plates of its stays and on its panels, he carved cherubim, lions, and palm trees, according to the space of each, with wreaths all around.
37 He made the ten stands of bronze. Each stand was four cubits long, four cubits wide, and three cubits high.
Ezekiel 40:47: 47 And he measured the court, a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits broad, a square. And the altar was in front of the temple.
Ezekiel 41:21: 21 The posts of the nave were squared, and in front of the Holy Place was something resembling
Ezekiel 43:13-17: 13 And these are the measurements of the altar by cubits (the cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth): its base shall be one cubit high and one cubit broad, with a rim of one span around its edge. And this shall be the height of the altar:
14 And from the base on the ground to the lower ledge, two cubits, with a breadth of one cubit; and from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge, four cubits, with a breadth of one cubit.
15 And the altar hearth shall be four cubits, and from the altar hearth shall project upwards four horns.
16 The altar hearth shall be square, twelve cubits long by twelve broad.
17 The ledge also shall be square, fourteen cubits long by fourteen broad, with a rim all around it of half a cubit, and its base one cubit all around. Its steps shall face east.”
Revelation 21:16: 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.