So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ ” Then the word of the LORD came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
– Zechariah 4:6-10
The Story of Zerubbabel
In the book of Ezra, Israel spent 70 years as exiles in Babylon until, in chapter 1, God moved King Cyrus to send an exodus of Israelites from Babylon back to Israel to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed 70 years earlier.
Enter Zerubbabel.
Alongside the priest, Jeshua, Zerubbabel leads the people of God in this second exodus to rebuild the temple of God. It’s a noble task, and one that God Himself wanted done.
The people arrive in Jerusalem and began building from the ruins of the previous temple, but Zerubbabel faced so much resistance from the local people that he paused his work rebuilding the temple as he and the people distracted themselves with other things.
Enter Zechariah, one of Israel’s prophets at this time who encourages Zerubbabel and the people to finish the work that they began. He prophesies that the work Zerubbabel began would be completed. He encourages the people that those who despised the “day of small beginnings” and resisted their work would soon change their tune. And he reminds Zerubbabel and the people of Israel that all of this would happen, “not by might, not by power, but by [God’s] Spirit.”
So, what does Zerubbabel’s story have to do with Advent? Great question!
It reminds us that God’s great work often starts small. Just as Zerubbabel and the people started from ruins and slowly rebuilt the temple, God’s work to save His people began with a baby born into a humble family. God’s great work starts small, but it also reminds us that God always finishes the work He starts.
Reflect
What, in your life, has God asked you to start that you either didn’t or started but didn’t continue? Why do you think you couldn’t start or continue?
Pray
Father, remind me in a tangible way today that You are with me. No matter what resistance I face, no matter how discouraging my circumstances may seem, would Your presence with me be what I hold on to the most. I commit to picking up the work that You have asked me to do, and I pray that the work You are doing in me, no matter how small it seems today, that You would bring that to its completion. Thank You that You always finish what You start. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.