Zerubbabel was a descendant of David, grandson of the last king of Judah. He and Ezra led the 40,000 or so Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem after Cyrus gave them permission. He led the effort to build the altar and lay the foundation of the temple. But, after opposition arose from the local non-Jewish population, building stopped. In Zechariah 4, God gave Zechariah a prophesy to speak to Zerubbabel to get him going again. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit”.
Zerubbabel did not have the might or power to accomplish his task. But the Holy Spirit would accomplish it. It is the Holy Spirit that accomplishes the work and will of God on earth. Men and women do not have the power on their own to accomplish it. Often, men in their own strength and for their own glory build things, even impressive things, and say they are God’s. But they do not last and often are perversions of God’s plan.
When times are tough and opposition arises, take comfort in the fact that the Spirit will prevail. But take caution that you seek God’s will and glory and not your own. The Tower of Babel fell. God’s kingdom will endure forever.
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