13 January 2022 – Raise up the Zerubbabels - Kingdom Builders

For the last week and half, the Holy Spirit has pointed me to study the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. At the beginning of this week, he placed in my heart the name Zerubbabel.

Who is Zerubbabel?

Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel and the grandson of Jehoiachin. Zerubbabel is mentioned in Matthew 1 - the genealogy of Yeshua. Zerubbabel’s name means the seed or the offspring of Babylon. He is of royal descent and is of David’s lineage.

Background in Babylon:

Jehoiachin was the king of Judah. 2 Kings 24:9 Jehoiachin did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as his father had done. He was taken as a prisoner to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. When Evil-merodach (Nebuchadnezzar’s son) ascended to the throne he had shown favour to Jehoiachin, allowing him to eat from his table. This would have most likely opened the door for the grandson Zerubbabel to grow up in the Babylon’s royal court. He must have been educated in politics and military as well his Jewish faith. Persia conquered Babylon. King Cyrus in his first year of his reign was prompted by God to decree that the Temple in Jerusalem should be rebuilt.

Purpose:

King Cyrus appointed Zerubbabel as governor over Judah. He was sent back to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple. He returned with the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem:

The exiles led by Zerubbabel came to a desolate, barren and pagan infested Jerusalem. Those who had escape captivity from Babylon received the exiles as a threat in respect of reclaiming ownership of property. The return home was met with hostility.

Lesson:

God has been raising up Zerubabbels amongst his children. Unknowingly, these Zerubbabels have been groomed and equipped by God. They have journeyed and have been exposed to a world where there are different belief systems and mindsets. The Lord is empowering you to now step up to your purpose, that is to be a kingdom builder.

Zerubbabel was given a task to build the temple of God. This is the most important task requested and he had to do it despite the hostility, the lack of enthusiasm and the opposition. He was not given an oasis to build God's temple, but was given a wasteland of people who had lost their faith and were corrupted in their beliefs and conduct. The bible tells us that the priests were corrupted, the people were worshipping idols and the land was populated by foreigners whose beliefs and cultures were adopted by the existing Jews. Jerusalem was war torn. A handful had vision and faith – but that was all that was needed.

Are we not currently populated with such a people – confused, depressed, religious instead of serving God with all their hearts, idol worshipping, greed for wealth and social impact?

The situation we are presented with today is no different from what Zerubbabel experienced.

Do you fit the following criteria?

Royalty – God’s child

Name – You have God’s name written over your heart

Groomed – you are educated about your Lord through your fellowship with Him not by religious acts

Chosen– the Lord has placed in your heart a desire to build His temple

If you do, then stand up and be counted! God does not need you, He wants you. We are in such time where Zerubbabels will have to take the bold step and be courageous. God will see us through. Pray to Yeshua for guidance on what His will is for you. Don’t be afraid to take the next step.

The Lord is with you. Trust in Him! See below the word and be encouraged!

Haggai 2:23 “But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will honour you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

Zechariah 4:6-9

6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

7 “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

8 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.