Zerubbabel's Second Try

After seventy years of Babylonian captivity (Jer 25:11), the remnants of Israel were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Governor Zerubbabel led the first group of exiles “to build the house of God.” After laying down the foundation, the workers encountered deep oppositions from the surrounding nations (Ezra 4:4). As a result, they lost hope and stopped working (Ezra 4:24)! Sixteen years have passed, and the temple stood unfinished! While the people focused on building their homes and livelihood, the prophet Haggai stirred them up to resume the work (Hag 1:5)! For Zerubbabel, it seemed like a big waste of time, effort, and resources. He was discouraged after leading them, only to fall short of his goal. But one day, the prophet Zechariah (Zech 1:7), spoke the words of the Lord that gave new hope and encouragement to Zerubbabel.

 It was a promise that God’s temple would be completed, not by trusting on man’s strength or intelligence (Prov 3:5), but solely through the power of God (Zech 4:6). Zerubbabel had “despised the day of small things” (Zech 4:10), by becoming weak and faithless during the start of their work. Yet, God has always been with him, even during the small beginnings. God promised that “his hands shall also finish it” (Zech 4:9). Sometimes we’re guilty of despising or mocking the insignificant things in our lives. Many have never finished what they started because of some circumstance that resulted in discouragement.

If you have some worthy goals such as finishing up your schooling or being part of a ministry in church, then seek the Lord for help (1 Chr 16:11), so you can complete it (Php 4:13). Don’t allow your past failures, fears, and regrets to hold you back and quit. By God’s grace (2 Cor 12:9), keep moving forward and try again. But this time, do it under God’s power and not your own! God bless you!

- Pastor Melito Barrera