Zerubbabel’s name literally means: Offspring of Babylon.
He is the grandson of King Jehoiachin who was exiled to Babylon after ruling Jerusalem only a short time. After a 70-year exile when King Cyrus II sends the Jews back to rebuild the ransacked city of Jerusalem, Zerubbabel is elected governor of the fledgling city. His primary task, along with governing, is to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.
The foundation of the temple was laid before opposition came and the work ground to a halt. Spanning nearly two decades, temple construction was abandoned.
Imagine for a moment how those 15-20 years of inaction felt for the returned Jews. How did this feel for Zerubbabel? They began rebuilding the temple with such enthusiasm, only to be shut down before the project got off the ground. Literally. How must it have felt to walk the city streets, pass the ground dedicated for the temple and see a great project just sitting there, neglected, and unfinished? Embarrassment. Humiliation. Disheartened. Chagrin. Indifferent acceptance?
Perhaps they’d come to simply accept the way things were, thinking: “We did our best, but it was out of our control.”
The Lord sent a word to Zerubbabel and the people through the prophet Haggai:
Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is the reason why you are not prospering! You’ve given more attention to building your own houses, and establishing your farms rather than prioritizing My house! …Now get to work. Be strong, Zerubbabel, be strong because I am with you. Be strong, all you people left in the land. My Spirit remains among you, just as I was with you when you came out of Egypt. Do not be afraid.
The future glory of this temple will exceed its past glory and, in this place, I will bring peace.
As governor, it was up to Zerubbabel to marshal the work force, collect the supplies and delegate responsibility in finishing the temple. He went about this task with enthusiasm. He moved the people to join the project, sparking enthusiasm in their hearts as well.
So the people began to obey the word of the Lord. With eagerness they resumed work on the house of the Lord and finished the project within a few years.
A personal message for Zerubbabel is as follows:
I am going to judge the nations around you, Zerubbabel. But when I do that, I will honor you. I have chosen you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies have spoken.
God honors enthusiastic faithfulness.
There are times when God tasks us with a specific responsibility. We start out, full of hope and promise, only to abandon the project before it is finished. Perhaps life got heavy, or circumstances out of our control caused a halt to the project.
It’s OK! God is still after that original vision or dream that He gave you! That responsibility is still yours. Take courage like Zerubbabel and get to work again. Know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is with you, and He is eager to see His name honored. Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.
Don’t settle for a partially built Temple. Invest in the fulfillment of that original responsibility you were tasked with. Trust me, God is eager to see it reach completion!