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.

Zechariah 4:7 (KJV)

Context

The prophet Zechariah ministered to the Jews who had returned from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. His prophecies encouraged the people to complete this task. The immediate context of Zechariah 4 includes the vision of the golden lampstand and the word that the work would be accomplished “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

Meaning

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. God promised Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah who led the rebuilding effort, that the mountain-like obstacles before him would be leveled and become a plain. This imagery indicates that God’s power would diminish the hindrances, making them level ground and removing all obstructions.

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, not merely human effort. The cry acknowledges that the completion of the work is an act of God’s unmerited favor and blessing.

Biblical connections

The promise to Zerubbabel reinforces the truth that God is faithful to complete what He has begun. The work of rebuilding was accomplished by God’s Spirit, not human strength, as stated in Zechariah 4:6. This connection shows that the removal of obstacles and the completion of the temple were acts of divine grace.

Application

Beyond the historical context, this verse holds spiritual significance for believers today. It teaches 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. The verse is a call to faith and perseverance, encouraging us to trust in God’s power to remove barriers and to acknowledge His grace and favor in our accomplishments.

Reflection

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 recognize that all accomplishments are by His grace. The headstone brought forth with shoutings of grace reminds us that God’s favor is both the foundation and the completion of His work.