Zerubbable: Life with the Lord

Zerubbable was the leader of the first group of fifty thousands Jews who came back from exile in year 536 BC according to God’s promise and command.  He returned back carrying all of God’s zeal and promises to build God’s temple.  But the people were so discouraged when they realized the great challenges facing them- the city and temple were in complete ruins, people were weak, they were living a selfish, discouraged life bound by slavery, while the surrounding nations were seeking to stop any attempt[s of restoration or revival for God’s people.

Zerubbable felt as if he was facing a huge mountain of problems that seemed impossible to defeat.  But our gracious God approached him with encouraging words: “just as His hand had laid the foundation of building the temple, so would He complete it”.  Zerubbable, in response to God’s great promise, was motivated and his spirit was lifted up.  He would experience the Lord’s promise to His people, which was later revealed in Mark 11:22-23: “have faith in God, if any one says to this mountain `Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, it will be done for him.”  Building the altar was his priority, and through it he learned a lesson about exile which happened as a result of the people’s sins.  The God of healing is willing to restore and heal us when we make Him the priority of our life and surrender to His will.
 
Encouraged by God’s word, Zerubbable began laying the foundation of the temple. During the work, there arose many challenges.  Firstly, the people were very weak. Secondly, the surrounding enemies did everything in their power to stop the work. For these reasons, ultimately, the work was delayed for twenty years.  At that time, Zerubbable asked himself, “where is my Almighty God and where are His promises?” Suddenly the angel of the Lord sent him a message through a vision of the golden candlestick given to Zachariah the prophet confirming the defeat of all problems, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, says the Lord of Host. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbable you shall become a plain.” (Zachariah 4:7)
Here he could discover that the God almighty was with him and His promises never failed or changed.

Zerubbable resembles every one of God’s servants who has ever dreamed about building God’s kingdom, changing people’s lives, and spreading God’s word. But unfortunately, he often finds himself facing numerous problems and oppositions which could break and discourage him completely. He always asks himself the same question as Zerubbable “where is my God whom I am serving and where are His promises, love and care?” but again the Lord reveals Himself as with Zerubbable with the words “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbable you shall become a plain.”

The Challenge is how the servant should balance between his service and the obstacles he is facing, the little he has and the great vision he is willing to achieve, the little resources and the unlimited needs of the service. Then what he needs now is to listen to the Eternal promise “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of Host. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbable you shall become a plain.” Zechariah 4:6-7
We tend to lose His power when we focus on the visible problems and lose sight of the invisible Eternal God, as what happened with Zerubbable when his attention was centered around the little money he has, the weak people working with him and the strong enemy on the other side.

He came from Babylon according to God’s will, relying on God’s promise which never changes or fails then why is he faced with all these problems? Why does it seem that God’s power left him from the start? And why is there a giant mountain of opposition in front of him?

In reality this is always God’s dealings with His children.  He allows the huge mountain of hardships to face them, and allow them to be helpless in order to discover that without Him they can do nothing. (John 15:5).  The same happened with Moses, he needed to learn that he will not and could not save his people without realizing that he is weak and helpless.  To learn that lesson he needed to stay in the wilderness for forty years.

After Zerubbable received this encouraging message and learned the lesson he shouted “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbable you shall become a plain”.  Along with Zerubbable, we also need to learn the many lessons in leadership.  

Firstly, neither by power (human power, intelligence or talents) nor by might (outer resources’) will you or Zerubbable attain the victory needed to ultimately achieve your dream or vision.  Secondly, let God’s Spirit of power teach you how to defeat and transform the giant mountain into a plain.  And thirdly, things always starts small “Who has despised the day of the small things” (Zacharias 4:10 ).  Any service must start with planting some seeds, digging in the ground to remove the weeds - as uprooting old habits or mentality.   It always starts small but we forget that God’s eyes are constantly watching and waiting to enter and help.

Let us remember that when God wanted to change the world, He sent His Son born from among us to do the work and allow us to be His co-workers.  He is never defeated or overcome.

Imagine how happy Zerubbable was when he was able to leave us with the great story of the mountain which became a plain and he when he heared the joyful shouting of victory of laying the headstone when people were crying Grace, grace to it. Zac 4:7
 
My Children, remember “that God has not given us the Sprit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind”.  Take away the spirit of discouragement and trust God in His promises and an unlimited power will be bestowed upon you.  Then God Himself will assure to you as He did with Zerubbable that
“As your hand has laid the foundation of building of God’s Kingdom his has will complete it”.  (Zacharias 4:10)