Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Message of Zechariah – God is big in Small things

Zechariah 4v6 “’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD.”

Prophet 11 out of 12… Zechariah’s prophecies overlapped with Haggai (last week) as the Jews rebuilt the temple in 520BC.

A key verse is, “Who despises the day of small things?” (4v10). Many of the Jews were frustrated that the new temple was not as grand as the old. However, in God’s economy, size does not count. In worldly terms we also tend to admire and compare with things that are big – whether grand buildings, large countries, mega-companies, or the most successful teams … .

God recognised that the people were feeling their work was small and insignificant at a worldly level; so he revealed through Zechariah that in God’s eyes, at the spiritual level, their work was hugely significant because they were being obedient to God’s call and commands. Zechariah’s prophecies are full of strong images conveying this truth. God works by His Spirit, not by our power or might.

In his encouragement, Zechariah repeatedly refers to the coming Messiah who would visit this temple with familiar words picked up in the New Testament such as:

  • “I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.” 3v9
  • “See your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” 9v9
  • “He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” 9v10
  • “They will look on me, the one they have pierced.” 12v10
  • “So, I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD, to the potter.” 11v13
  • “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David … to cleanse them from sin and impurity.” 13v1
  • “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.” 13v7
  • “On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem.” 14v8
  • “On that day HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on [everything]” 14v20

Truly, God is working his purposes out. He is the potter, I am the clay. May He use me as He desires and may I be obedient to Him so His name is glorified.

With love and blessing,

Roland