Zechariah 4:7

“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.”

Historical Context:The book of Zechariah was written by the prophet Zechariah during the time when the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon and were in the process of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah’s prophecies were intended to encourage and motivate the people to complete the task of restoring the temple.

• Symbolism of the Great Mountain:

In this verse, the phrase “O great mountain” is symbolic. It represents the obstacles, challenges, and opposition that stood in the way of rebuilding the temple. The mountain signifies the daunting task and the seemingly insurmountable difficulties that the people faced.

Zerubbabel and the Temple Restoration:Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah and played a crucial role in the restoration of the temple. Despite the challenges, God promised Zerubbabel that the mountain-like obstacles before him would be leveled, and the rebuilding of the temple would be accomplished.

Transformation of the Mountain:The verse states that the great mountain, representing the obstacles, would become a plain before Zerubbabel. This imagery indicates that God’s power would diminish the hindrances, making them level ground. This transformation signifies the removal of all obstructions and the ease with which the rebuilding of the temple would occur.

Completion and Celebration:The verse further mentions that Zerubbabel would bring forth the headstone of the temple with shouts of “Grace, grace unto it.” The headstone refers to the final stone placed on top of the completed temple, symbolizing its completion and the fulfillment of God’s promise. The shouts of “Grace, grace unto it” emphasize the recognition that the accomplishment was made possible by God’s favor and grace.

• Beyond the historical context, this verse holds spiritual significance for believers today. It teaches us that when we face daunting challenges or obstacles in our lives, God’s power can level those mountains and make a way for us to overcome them. We are reminded that with God’s favor and grace, we can accomplish the seemingly impossible.

In conclusion, Zechariah 4:7 speaks of God’s promise to Zerubbabel to remove the obstacles before him, allowing the completion of the temple. It encourages us to trust in God’s power to overcome the mountains in our lives, and to acknowledge His grace and favour in our accomplishments.