“In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah.” Zechariah 1:1
Dear Ones:
The spoken word of God, either declared loudly, or very quietly, is perfectly associated with the power and the authority of God. What does this mean? When the Apostle Paul wrote of Jesus, by His sacrifice and resurrection, “…having spoiled principalities and powers,” he added: “…He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col. 2:15) In speaking in this manner, Paul also revealed to the believers in Ephesus that, “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (6:12) The reason for which we need to see and understand that God in Christ is sovereign, and that all of His victorious power and authority are associated with, and directed by His word, is that God speaks to change things, regardless of spiritual opposition and conflict. He speaks to make a difference, not only in a persons life, but in a nation’s existence.
The two prophets that God used to “speak His word,” at the time of the building of the second temple, were Haggai and Zechariah. When the enemies of Israel, and the Lord, resisted all efforts to rebuild the temple, and the work was stopped, it was by God speaking through His servants that things changed. How? When the apostle Paul addressed the believers at Corinth, he wrote: “And my speech and my preaching was NOT with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” (1 Cor. 2:4) Here is true preaching, or teaching, where the “word of God” is given forth “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” What does this mean? The Spirit reveals, by His power and authority, that the word given is indeed from heaven and not originating from man. It thus carries with it the power and authority of Christ to accomplish the will and purpose of God. The result of this proclaimed, and declared word, by the Spirit, is that the faith of the believer “…will NOT stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 2:5) In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes also: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (10:17) It is when the word of God, that specific word given in the demonstration and power of the Spirit, is given and proclaimed, that faith is not only born, but strengthened. The heart, will, and mind of the believer changes. Where once there was doubt, fear, and defeat, now there is a rising up, laying hold of God according to the powerful promise. The result is a conquering spirit, to do the will of God, even in the face of difficulties, opposition, and the reasoning of natural man.
In the account in both Haggai and Zechariah, we see apparent obstacles to the accomplishment of the will of God, the rebuilding of the temple. These were times of difficulty and opposition. Over time, the people adopted the attitude that it was no longer the time to rebuild. Their assessment of the project had diminished. Added to this reduced vision was the fact that this temple was as “nothing” in comparison with that of Solomon. What will make the difference in this scenario, where a vision seems to be lost, and the means, and pathway forward, seem to be non-existent? It will be the “word of the Lord,” in this case spoken by the mouths of Haggai and Zechariah. In both of the writings of these prophets, they specifically write the exact time that the “word of the Lord” came to them. From that time there was the revelation to the people of God’s will, His heart, His intention, and His provision. God commands them to, “Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house.” (Hag. 1:8) In Zechariah, God tells the people: “I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it.” (1:16)
Dear Father, Open our hearts to know and believe the power of the word of God, by the Spirit, for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad