When reading about Zerubabbel, what comes to your mind?
How do you interpret what is happening during the re-occupation of Jerusalem and why is it even relevant to us?
Let's take this approach that nothing in the Bible is just there for leisure reading. It is there to tell us something about Jesus ... not about us in the first instance, but about Him.
What are we saying when we say that someone in the old covenant is a type of Christ?
Well, Jesus explained it best in Luke 24:27 to the Emmaus travelers beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
The whole of the Bible is about Jesus and we should always remind ourselves about this truth so that we are able to see God's amazing Grace.
The person
Who exactly was Zerubabbel?
Well, Zerubabbel was the first Governor of Jerusalem after the Jewish people were allowed to return from exile in Babylon in 520 BC by King Cyrus II of the Persian empire.
Zerubabbel was born in exile in Babylon. He was the grandson of King Jehoiachin (1 Chronicles 3:17) of Juda and therefore also a royal descendant in the line of king David.
When Cyrus issued the decree that the Jews may return to their homeland, Zerubabbel was one of the first to accompany his countrymen with the distinct purpose to rebuild the Temple (the house of YHVH) in Jerusalem.
The name
The name Zerubbabel means sown in Babel, (or Babylon). Babylon means confusion by mixture. So, Zerubabbel means the one who was sown in (or descended from) confusion caused by mixture.
The name Zerubabbel is a compilation of two Hebrew words:
- zä·rav' or זָרַב meaning to wax warm or to be dried up (like in a seed); and
- bä·bel' or בָּלבֶ meaning confusion by mixing or to mix; to fodder.
He is the one born in Babylon, in captivity, in exile, in the land of confusion caused by mixture. Yes, mixture. Read the next verse!
The purpose
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!’”
Grace and obedience?
Grace and the law?
Grace and own effort?
No! Grace, and Grace alone!
In the Hebrew language the doubling of a word denotes the intensive form. Thus, Grace, grace is ultimate, extreme grace - Yah'shua, Jesus!
Jesus was sown in the world of confusion. Why is there confusion? Because of the mixed belief of who God is, of what human-kind's relationship with YHVH should be, of freedom to engage, of boldness to approach, of chutzpah.
It is about Jesus. He came to this world in the likeliness of human flesh to rebuild the temple not built by the hands of man ... and He did!
In bible context
On arriving in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel's work was to rebuild of temple. Yet, the enemy constantly made efforts (the Samaritans) to disrupt the work.
Zerubbabel’s rebuilt temple was honored by the prophet, Haggai (2:9): The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house” said the Lord
In much the same way Zerubbabel was also responsible for the re-establishment and restoration of the priesthood (Ezra 6:18; Nehemiah 12:47), the registering of the returned captives (Nehemiah 7:5) and the re-institution of the Passover, which is an undisputed shadow onto Jesus!
The prophecy
On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.” - Hag 2:23
...and so it was done!
On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.” - Hag 2:23
...and so it was done!
Yah'shua was sown amongst man living in confusion. He lived man's life, was tempted in all regards as man, suffered man's sufferings, took man's sins and afflictions upon Himself in the flesh, died man's death, was buried in man's grave, rose from death and ascended as man sitting on the right Hand of the Father, but not before first depositing His Spirit of Life and Power into man still living in this world!
Wow! Do you want to read that again?
The finished work
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. Zec 4:7
The finished work
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. Zec 4:7
So, the Real Zerubabbel says to those Zerubabbels, who in this world are as He is, verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
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