Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV): "So he (angel) answered and said to me (Zechariah): This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel; ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit’. Says the Lord of hosts."
'Zechariah' is pronounced 'Zekar-Yah' in Hebrew, which means 'The Lord (YHWH) remembers'. Israel is blessed because YHWH remembers the covenant He made with the fathers. Zechariah was a prophet and priest in his days, having been born in exile during the 70 years of captivity in Babylon, and returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. The Lord used him to inspire the people (i.e. those returning to Jerusalem) to look to God and to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
Who was Zerubbabel then? He was also among those returning to Jerusalem from Babylon, and as a governor, he was to take the lead in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. That was when the Lord spoke these words to him (in Zechariah 4:6) through Zechariah. By the way, the name 'Zerubbabel' means 'descendant of Babylon'. 'Babylon' represents 'the ways of the world'. This word actually comes from the word ‘Babel’, meaning ‘confusion’ in Hebrew. It speaks of 'worldly ways', i.e. people doing things by their own ‘might’ or ‘power’. Remember the tower of Babel? (see Genesis 11:1-9) So, even though Zerubbabel had this noble 'calling' of rebuilding the Lord's temple in Jerusalem, the Lord also wanted him to build it in His ways, not in worldly ways. Zerubbabel had probably been influenced much by the 'Babylonian ways' (of doing things) prior to Zechariah 4:6.
God’s work is to be done in God's ways, not in worldly ways! In other words, it is to be done by His Spirit (in His ways), and not by 'might' nor by 'power', i.e. the worldly ways (Babylonian ways).
Let's now do a little study on the words 'might', 'power', and 'Spirit' in Zechariah 4:6.
The word ‘might’ here is pronounced ‘khah-yil’ in Hebrew, which means ‘force, power, riches, strength (whether of human or other worldly resources).
The word ‘power’ here is pronounced ‘kowach’ in Hebrew, meaning ‘human ability or capacity, own human produce (including power of human persuasion or flattering).
The word ‘Spirit’ here is ‘ruwach’ in Hebrew, meaning ‘breath, life, wind, or spirit being exhaled’. Therefore, 'by His Spirit' is literally 'by the exhalation of His breath, life, wind, or Spirit'.
So, not by 'khah-yil' nor by 'kowach', but by the Spirit of the Lord!
So, not by 'khah-yil' nor by 'kowach', but by the Spirit of the Lord!
Zechariah 4:7 (NKJV) then says: Who are you, o great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone ('headstone' in KJV) with shouts of "Grace, Grace to it!”
When God's things are done in God's ways, whatever 'mountain' (literally means 'to loom up' in Hebrew) shall become a 'plain'. This 'mountain' speaks of a 'problem' or 'hindrance', but when Jesus Christ has become your chief cornerstone (see Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6), this same 'mountain' shall become a 'plain'! Jesus Christ is also God's grace personified (John 1:17). One definition of 'God's grace' is 'His ability to do for you what you cannot do by your own ability'. That's why your salvation is also by God's grace, through your faith (believing heart). By the way, the words 'capstone' and 'cornerstone' in Zechariah 4:6 and Ephesians 2:20 have similar meanings, i.e. 'the uppermost or the uttermost stone'. This speaks of Jesus Christ Himself, your 'chief cornerstone', whilst you and I (as believers) are the 'stones' (see 1 Peter 2:4-5).
Many believers today are like the Zerubbabels (who are so used to do things by their own 'khah-yil' or 'kowach'), and very much influenced (in one way or another) by the 'Babylonian ways' of doing things. I can't blame them. Having grown up in 'Babylonian' environment, many see this way as the only way to 'achieve' and 'prosper' in life. But beloved of God, there's a higher way - God's way. Will you begin to look to Him and His ways instead? (see Isaiah 55:8-9) Be it in your daily 'walk', in ministry, or in business, it's not by 'khah-yil' nor by 'kowach', but by His Spirit! Let's not repeat the same 'mistakes' as those who tried to 'build' the tower of Babel by their own ways!
As a believer in the New Covenant, Jesus Christ has indeed become your 'capstone' or 'headstone'. Allow Him. And as many as are led by His Spirit, these are also called sons of God (Romans 8:14), and know this, people of God, as you are being led by Him, whatever 'temple' or 'mission' that God has called you to 'build' will come to pass and prosper, just as it was in the days of Zechariah and Zerubbabel. Amen!
As a believer in the New Covenant, Jesus Christ has indeed become your 'capstone' or 'headstone'. Allow Him. And as many as are led by His Spirit, these are also called sons of God (Romans 8:14), and know this, people of God, as you are being led by Him, whatever 'temple' or 'mission' that God has called you to 'build' will come to pass and prosper, just as it was in the days of Zechariah and Zerubbabel. Amen!
