“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me” (Zechariah 4:9 NLT).
Zechariah was given a prophecy concerning Zerubbabel, the Jewish governor of Jerusalem. Zerubbabel had begun the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians, but work had stopped on it and the people were discouraged. Yet the Word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying, that just as Zerubbabel had laid the foundation, so just as surely he would complete it. This prophecy was fulfilled during that time.
Yet, as with many biblical prophecies, it also has a future meaning. For Zerubbabel, who was born to the line of David, is a foreshadowing of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And the house he rebuilt foreshadows the Church. Jesus was born in the line of David and through His work of salvation, laid the foundation of the Church, becoming its Cornerstone. One day, just as He founded the Church, He will finish it, laying its last spiritual stone into place. For as the book of Hebrews explains, Jesus is both “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2). Jesus is both Cornerstone and Capstone of the Church, which is His Body, of which we are members.
PRAYER: Dear Father, as we read Your Scriptures, we find Your Son on every page. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. We look to Him not only for our salvation, but for every need of life. For all our needs are met in Him. Until He returns, strengthen us by Your grace to accomplish the work You have assigned to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.