Articles
The Day of Small Things
The Day of Small Things
Zechariah’s work began in the second year of the Persian ruler Darius (Zech. 1:1),
Almost two decades previously, many of the Jewish people were allowed to return to the land of Palestine. A group of about 42,000 made the trip, and began to rebuild their homes, their city of Jerusalem, and the temple in which to worship. God provided good leadership under high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and governor Zerubbabel the grandson of Jeconiah.
But, the project was not without discouraging moments. In Ezra 4, enemies made false accusations about the Jews to the Persian leaders, forcing the people to stop work on the temple under threat of violence.
The heart of worship under the law of Moses was the temple. It needed to be completed! God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1-2) to encourage the people to be faithful to resume building. Zechariah said in Zech. 4:8-10,
The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth.”
Zechariah assures the people that God Himself will see the temple project to completion. While Zerubbabel is the builder, the all-seeing God will grant the protection and strength necessary to persevere. Their enemies could not stop them.
Zechariah addresses not only the fear of external enemies, but the paralysis of internal doubt. Perhaps some among the people were reluctant to work, since the footprint of the new temple was so much less grand than Solomon’s temple (Ezra 3:12). Perhaps they were daunted by the work, since the efforts made years before seemed insignificant compared to the total remaining. But “small things,” when ordained and guided to completion by God, are not to be scoffed at.
Do not despise the baptism of a small child. The salvation of a soul is never insignificant, even one accustomed to a pew. And it’s never guaranteed—can you count how many people who were “raised in the church” never confessed the name of Jesus? The faith of these young people in this increasingly hostile world is inspiring (Matt. 18:10, 19:13-15) and is the soil from which mature adult Christians are produced.
Do not despise a small church planted by two or three families. Every thriving congregation with a big building packed with worshipers began with just a handful. If God’s people would take seriously God’s commission to live genuinely and spread the gospel (Matt. 5:13-16, 28:18-20), they would grow (1 Cor. 3:6). One of the best congregations in the New Testament, Phillipi, began in Lydia’s household (Acts 16:13-15). The church the world over began with a gathering of 120 disciples (Acts 1:15). The kingdom is like a mustard seed and God can transform it into a sturdy tree large enough to support people of all nations (Matt. 13:31-34, Ezek. 17:22-24).
Do not despise small efforts to do God’s work. God’s people can become discouraged when efforts don’t pan out instantly. It’s such a hassle to invite people over, it’s not worth it. It’s such a hassle to wave at passing cars and knock on doors, it’s not worth it. It’s such a hassle to take meals to the shut-ins, to show up for Bible study. But the accumulation of these little acts of faithful obedience will begin to move the needle, and soon, God will send the blessing. At the start of Zechariah’s prophecy, there were tons of bricks still to be added to Zerubbabel’s bare foundation. But one brick at a time, the people kept building, and within a few years were able to step back and rejoice in their work, and began using it to glorify God (Ezra 6:15-22). --John Guzzetta
