8 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 9 “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.
The critics of Israel would know that God sent Zerubbabel by what the civil leader of Israel accomplished. Zechariah would know with certainty that the Temple would be rebuilt.
4:8
Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
The second message to Zechariah put the message to Zerubbabel in clear terms.
4:9
“The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple;
Zerubbabel organized the effort to rebuild the Temple (Ezra 3:1-3, 8-13).
His hands shall also finish it.
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the work on the Temple would continue for the next four years (Ezra 6:15). He would “finish” the work. This was a promise and vindication that the work of the Temple would be completed.
Then you will know That the Lord of hosts [armies] has sent Me to you.
The “me” here probably refers to the prophet Zechariah even though the NKJV gives it a capital “Me.”
PRINCIPLE:
God uses repositories of His Word to spread His message.
APPLICATION:
As Israel was to be the repository of God’s Word and the light to Gentile nations, the church has the same role.
One day David’s greatest Son will complete the building of the Temple in the Millennial kingdom. Zerubbabel’s rebuilding of the Temple was a foreshadowing of the ultimate Temple.
