“For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself…” Galatians 6:3
In the Old Testament, there came a day and a time when God instructed Zerubbabel, Joshua the Priest, and the remnant of the people who had returned from the deportation to again live in Jerusalem, to “Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it, and be glorified.” (Hag. 1:8) As is always the case with any spiritual endeavor, a fundamental issue is that of faith, having the faith to accomplish that which God has commanded, and this, in the face of impossible circumstances from a human standpoint. That which is essential to faith is a clear, precise, and convincing vision, not only of the work to be done, but of the Lord God of the work, the One by whom, by Christ alone, the work can be begun but also finished. For the remnant of Israel who had been stirred up by God to engage in the work of rebuilding the temple, there were not only opposing forces, enemies of Israel who would resist, but spiritual forces, certainly greater than anything the people alone could successfully deal with. What must be overcome if the people would rise up in faith, and overcome every obstacle without and within, to do the will of God?
The problem that Israel had with her vision of both God and the work at hand, stemmed from the failure of the nation to continue to honor God after the building of the first temple by Solomon. Never had there been such a building as the first temple, with the accompanying manifestation of the glory of God upon it. Never had there been such resources provided for its construction, as David had prepared, and which his son Solomon would use by very skilled people, there being no lack of workers. The success of the first temple, along with its glory, was incomparable to the ruins facing the returned exiles, and the situation of the circumstances in which the people found themselves. There was no Solomon present, and no similar manifestation of God’s glory as in his day. And yet, Zerubbabel, Joshua the Priest, and the remnant of the people were being called by God to believe Him for the building of the temple. How could faith ever rise to the occasion?
In the book of Haggai, the “word of the Lord” came to the prophet Haggai, to be given to Zerubbabel. It was this: “Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?” (2:3) In the book of Zechariah, the “word of the Lord” to him was: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. For WHO HAS DESPISED THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS?” (4:8-10) It is a right thought before God to see, and to know, that man, even the believing man, in and of himself is nothing. His resources are little to nothing, his capacities being greatly limited by his physical condition, and his sinfulness. However, the call of God is not for man to be preoccupied with his littleness, or the insignificance of one’s capacities from the world’s standpoint, but to grasp first of all a knowledge of the will of God, and to wholly commit oneself to Him for its accomplishment.
The Lord’s remedy to faith was His powerful, authoritative word: “‘Be strong…and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts.” (Hag. 2:4) The promise of God was that the latter temple would possess greater glory than the former. And to Zechariah the Lord will declare: “I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great zeal…I AM returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it.” (1:14,16) To the one who is weak, Christ will give strength.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.