The Scriptures record times when Israel faced hardship. One of those occasions came after the exile to Babylon. Many of God's people returned to Jerusalem to rebuild it and the Temple. During this era, Zerubbabel ruled as Governor. As they tried to reconstruct their fallen country, they faced numerous obstacles and enemies.

At that time, God spoke to them through the prophet Zechariah and revealed to them His design to overcome their obstacles. The prophet recorded it in Zechariah 4:6:

"Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

In this simple statement, God declared His persistent purpose and plan for them: look to Me not your own capabilities or resources. Today, the Christian Church needs to follow this same message.

The Fallacy Of Might

God warned Israel against reliance upon might. This word describes a force of many, whether of men, means, or other resources. Simply, God declared that victory does not rest in numbers.

It came to them as a reminder and as a relief. It reminded them of their dependence upon God, not man. Since the exodus from Egypt, God had taught them to rely upon Him alone as their strength and shield.

Further, it reminded them of the faithfulness of God. On numerous occasions Hew had proved His power against the might of mankind. The memory of their exit from Egypt, their victory at Jericho, and the defeat of the Assyrians highlight only a few of those times.

God's expression also brought relief. In this situation, Zerubbabel and the Israelites certainly did not have many resources. They neither had financial strength nor military power.

In addition, their enemies substantially outnumbered them. That mattered not to God. The Almighty encouraged them with this word, ".not by might..."

The Scriptures confirm this truth in Isaiah 30:1-3:

"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: {2} That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! {3} Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion."

Again, the Lord God emphasizes this vital fundamental in Psalms 33:16:

"There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength."

This, then, shows us the truth regarding the fallacy of might. God's victories and ways do not depend upon might. In our day, we need this reminder and relief, too. Human nature inclines toward the solutions and methods of the flesh and the world. Then, we fall prey to resting on might, the force of many. Where in your own life have you yielded to the temptation to rely upon human might?

To believe wrongly about this precept glorifies the flesh and rejects the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It dishonors God. I remind you of the word of the Lord from our text: "...not by might..." May the Holy Spirit correct and comfort you with this great truth.

The Fallacy Of Power

God encouraged Zerubbabel to distrust his own power. The fallacy of might discounts the strength of many, the mighty. In this word to Zerubbabel, God declared the fallacy of the power of one. Here, the Lord God warned against reliance upon one person for deliverance.

This person may have power because of wealth or position. One with a prominent position wields power with mankind and the masses follow. Similarly, a person with a powerful personality can produce unusual results.

God reminds Zerubbabel that His ways do not rely upon power. The history of Israel proved to him the reality of God's reminder. A reading of the book of Judges gives ample proof of God's deliverances for Israel by the nameless and the unknown.

The world’s concept of a powerful person means nothing to God. He can use anybody as He proved with Shamgar (Judges 3.31), Jael (Judges 18.24, and Deborah (Judges 4.4-24).

The prophet Zechariah delivered the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: "...nor by power..." God encouraged Zerubbabel that victory did not depend upon human power.

The Fact Of God's Design

The word of the Lord through Zechariah showed Zerubbabel God's design for victory. The Sovereign God said: "…but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." God called the Governor and his people to trust Him, and He would bring victory by the work of the Holy Spirit of God.

On many occasions in Israel's history, God proved His power through the Holy Spirit. For example, the Holy Spirit moved upon creation (Genesis 1.2). Again, Pharaoh recognized the presence of the Holy Spirit in Joseph (Genesis 41.28). At the making of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, the Holy Spirit moved upon Bezaleel to fashion the instruments of the Tabernacle (Exodus 31.2-3). Finally, Zerubbabel certainly must have known of the exploits of Samson by the Holy Spirit of God (Judges 13.25-16.31). Yes, the word of the Lord reminded Israel's Governor of God's sovereign power.

It also brought him relief. Victory would not depend upon his abilities, wisdom, strength, or vigor. No, it depended solely upon God. The Lord of Hosts would bring deliverance through the Holy Spirit on behalf of His people.

This describes the way that God always works. Although God uses human instruments, He never uses their power. He works through them by His Holy Spirit so that mankind might praise God and not man.

Through example and exhortation, God's word confirms this truth. I will cite but 3 examples. Paul described his preaching to the Corinthian Church in this fashion in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5:

"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: {5} That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

Again, the Holy Spirit through Paul reminds us of our human frailty in 2 Corinthians 4:7:

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

A final example describes the manner of victory over our enemy in 2 Corinthians 10:4:

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)"

The Holy Spirit of God works without regard to the feebleness of mankind. Nor does the power of any foe or enemy intimidate Him. In fact, God's makes His power complete in us in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12.9).

This story of Zerubbabel reveals to us God's works and His ways. He works through His Holy Spirit. Then God gets all of the glory. In simple terms, He contrasts His supernatural ability of the Holy Spirit against human inability.

What changes do these truths require in your life? If you reject them and continue to rely upon human efforts, you will reap failure and frustration. If you repent and trust God to work in you by the Holy Spirit, you will begin to experience a spiritual reformation and revival that will transform your life.