A while back someone prayed over me and gave me this scripture:
Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
ZERUBBABEL
This scripture has stuck with me. I didn’t know what it meant for me at the time or how it applied to my life. So I tucked it away. But recently, I have been seeing this scripture everywhere and not only that, the name Zerubbabel has been coming up. You can find the name Zerubbabel sprinkled throughout the Bible. In fact, he’s in both genealogies of Jesus (in Matthew and Luke) in the New Testament. His name means ‘begat of Babel’ or born in Babel, maybe because he was born in captivity in the city of Babylon.
Zerubbabel is mentioned in Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zachariah, 1 Chronicles, Matthew and Luke. It is understood that he was the governor of Judah and worked hand-in-hand with the priest, Joshua, in the laying the foundation of the second temple. Haggai and Zechariah were prophets during Zerubbabel’s lifetime. In chapter 4 of Zechariah, the prophet describes the vision God gave him in conjunction with the temple work of Zerubbabel.
THE VISION
And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” Zechariah 4:1-5
I personally think it’s a little funny that the angel keeps asking Zechariah if he knows what the confusing image means. But the angel’s explanation is even more confusing.
Then 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 of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
So the image that they are looking at is a word from the Lord? The Hebrew description for ‘word’ in this sentence can also be translated as a thing, saying or advice. The angel continues…
Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’ Zechariah 4:7
REVELATION
So why does the angel say this image is the ‘word of the Lord’? If we compare this scripture to Revelation 11, we can see it corresponds with the two witnesses of the end times.
Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. Revelation 11:1-4
The wording is very similar to that which was given to Zechariah, however there are two lampstands. Despite the discrepancy, I’m curious if this imagery is supposed to trigger our memory of the word given in the past. Will the next temple also will be built by the power and strength of God and not our own?
THE MENORAH
The lampstand (or menorah) is first described in the book of Exodus when instructions were given to Moses.
You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. Exodus 25:31
This large elaborate menorah had cups shaped like almond blossoms and it was all of one solid piece of gold signifying its unity. Interestingly, these instructions were given to Moses on a mountain. The seven lamps may represent the 7 spirits of God (Rev. 1:4).
Currently, steps are being taken for a third temple in Jerusalem. This movement toward rebuilding has many wondering what it means for the end times. If you look at the very first structure of God’s house, the tabernacle, we see similar wording to Zechariah.
Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.” And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses. Numbers 8:1-3
THE CRUSHING
From the olive comes the oil and the oil fuels the lamp. Let us not forget that oil is made from crushing and pressing the olives. There is a period of pressure that provides the substance that allows for the flame. We too are put through trials to purify us and prepare us to do God’s will.
Interestingly oil often represents the Holy Spirit. We are told that we are sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30). And when we abide in Jesus, we are filled with the Holy Spirit which can bring God’s light into the world. The book of Romans relates to the olive trees by reminding us that God is the source.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. Romans 11:17-20
THE MOUNTAIN
What is the significance of mountains? We see that over and over in the Old Testament, righteous kings destroyed the high places where people worshiped idols. These mountain tops often represented evil power. Physically tearing down the alters in the high hills was symbolic of righteousness being restored.
“You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. You shall tear down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and burn their Asherim with fire. You shall chop down the carved images of their gods and destroy their name out of that place.” Deuteronomy 12:2-3
The book of Micah speaks of the Lord destroying high places as well.
For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. Micah 1:3
So if evil likes to dwell on top of mountains, it seems that moving a mountain could be symbolic of bringing down strongholds. Was there a mountain in Zerubbabel’s way to the rebuilding of the new temple? Probably. As with anything significant, there will be a mountain in the way.
GIDEON
In the book of Judges, Gideon was told by the Lord to tear down the altar to Baal that his own family had erected. He obeyed God and a result of tearing down the altar, the townspeople came after him. Gideon’s dad told the townspeople to ‘let Baal contend for himself’.
Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar. Judges 6:32
Gideon’s obedience changed the fate of Israel. Gideon had weak faith and kept asking for signs from God. However, he did act in obedience which ‘moved the mountain’ so to speak.
Even though God is in charge of everything, He gives us the privilege of working with Him. Research for this article had me wondering if obedience and faith are the key to moving a mountain? The more I looked into it, the more I believe this is true.
JERICHO
Another important story I want to share is that of Jericho, which clearly demonstrates faith. Gideon had a little bit of faith and temporarily conquered an area. However, Joshua had great faith and conquered a nation!
And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.” Joshua 6:2-5
We will face mountains in our lives. Don’t be afraid to stand before them and say ‘move!’ But most importantly know WHO actually moves the mountain for you – God. Not by our power or might but by HIS SPIRIT. However, we still have work to do! We definitely can’t sit around and wait for it to happen.
As we can see from the example of Jericho, the Israelites had to fight. They also had to do some stuff that made no sense at all. March around the city for six days and then on the seventh day march around it seven times? Then shout real loud. Can you imagine how we would respond if God asked us to do that? Most of us would say – yeah right!
But this is a perfect example of God’s power. God brought the wall down, not the Israelites. But the Israelites still had to do something. Their obedience activated God’s power. Moving mountains requires obedience. Knowing what God wants comes from abiding in Him, spending time with Him and serving Him. Often, we don’t have faith in our heart when God asks us to do something. Or we are afraid which usually comes from lack of faith. This is where humility and God’s grace come in to action. It takes time, patience, humility and continual persistence in God’s presence for these things to become a reality. I feel like this is a key point of the scripture God gave me.
CONFIDENCE
I believe covid had a purpose for many in the body of Christ. It was a challenge – will you follow God or will you follow the world? But even through the wrestling that occurred while trying to stand for goodness and truth, many of us lost our confidence. I… lost my confidence. Personally, I wasn’t used to being challenged on truth. I studied the Bible a ton during this time. Because what I was feeling from the Holy Spirit was not lining up with what many Christians were saying and doing. Fear became the norm, masks and policies were being pushed by leaders, even in the church.
I didn’t know how to stand for what was right. I didn’t want to be like those who were criticizing or shaming but I also didn’t want to be silent and afraid. God taught me a lot about my own shortcomings during this time. I lost my confidence and I didn’t know how to fight for Him. But now that the dust has settled and I’ve learned a few things, God is telling me to stand back up, shake off those insecurities. If you were knocked down, He’s telling you to stand back up too! Even if you didn’t stand for what was right before, stand now. God will be with you!
SIGNET RING
God is all powerful and we can count on Him. So we must keep our focus on the source, which is God. Furthermore, look what the prophet Haggai says about Zerubbabel.
‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:23
A signet ring is only given to a person who is highly trusted. A signet is also considered a seal and we, who believe, are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
Not only was Zerubbabel given authority through God with this signet ring, he was also described as a servant in Haggai 2:23. We can be like Zerubbabel when we have great faith and are obedient, abiding in Jesus. Was the prophecy of Zechariah only partially fulfilled? We know that the second temple was destroyed along with Herod’s remodeled temple. Many wonder if a third temple is physical or symbolic. Nonetheless, we know that we, as Christians, are the temple where the spirit of God dwells.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19
THE POWER OF GOD
Could there be more that we are not seeing in this story? I think so. I won’t pretend to understand it fully. But I do believe the image that Zechariah saw regarding Zerubbabel speaks to us today. Did you know that the name Zechariah means ‘God remembers’. God remembers His promises and He will return for us. Look at this possible foreshadow scripture that has to do with Jesus’ return…
On that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. Zechariah 14:4
Look at that, Jesus is standing on the mountain of olives and the mountain moves. In conclusion, I believe that those who are called, who are diligently seeking God’s face and doing His will, will be used in a mighty way. Even if you’ve been knocked down in this last season, lost friends, feel insecure or even if you didn’t stand for what was right but want to now, take heart! God’s plan will be fulfilled. God will make a way. We have work to do and action to take. So get up and get ready to move mountains and witness the power of God Almighty!
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. Psalm 52:8
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