Zechariah 4:7
Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "Grace, grace to it!" isn't just a cheer; it's a profound acknowledgment that the entire project, from overcoming impossible obstacles to the final stone, is utterly dependent on God's favor. It’s a powerful reminder that true completion and success, whether in grand temple building or our own lives, are not earned but freely given by God's unending grace.
The prophet Zechariah is shown a vision of a golden lampstand with two olive trees, symbolizing God's empowering Spirit enabling Zerubbabel, the governor, to complete the difficult task of rebuilding the temple. Despite immense opposition, represented by a great mountain, Zechariah is assured that Zerubbabel will overcome these obstacles and, with divine help, finish the temple, culminating in joyous celebrations. This prophecy points to the ultimate completion of God's work through His chosen leaders, and ultimately, through Christ.
Ever feel like you're facing an insurmountable obstacle? Like a giant mountain standing between you and God's purpose for your life? This verse speaks directly to that feeling.
Zechariah is told to address the "great mountain" directly. This mountain isn't a physical one, but represents any massive hindrance to God's work. In the context of rebuilding the temple, this could have been political opposition, lack of resources, or even the people's own discouragement.
But notice the promise: 'Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain.' This is God declaring His power to flatten any obstacle in the path of His servant. It's a powerful reminder that no opposition is too great for God to overcome. He doesn't just remove mountains; He makes them level ground, easily passable.
The rebuilding of the temple wasn't just about bricks and mortar. It pointed to something far greater – the completion of God's perfect plan. And the climax of that plan is met with a profound cry.
The verse culminates with Zerubbabel bringing forth the 'top stone' – the final piece that completes the structure. While in its immediate context this refers to the temple's completion, it powerfully foreshadows Jesus Christ.
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He is the Cornerstone, the Foundation, and the Capstone of God's spiritual house, the Church. When this final 'stone' – representing Christ's finished work and the completion of God's redemptive plan – is brought into place, the response is a joyful shout: 'Grace, grace to it!' This isn't just a wish for favor; it's an acclamation of overwhelming gratitude for God's unending, abundant grace that makes it all possible.
Understand the original words
chen · Hebrew Noun
God's unmerited favor and love extended to His people, providing salvation and enabling them to fulfill His purposes.
This verse speaks powerfully to the challenges faced by Zerubbabel and the returning exiles as they rebuilt the Temple. The 'great mountain' represents the immense political opposition and internal discouragement that threatened to halt the work, but Zechariah's message assures them that God's power would smooth the way for Zerubbabel to complete this vital task, culminating in shouts of 'Grace, grace!'
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great conquers the Neo-Babylonian Empire, paving the way for the return of exiled peoples, including the Jews.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, marking the beginning of the Second Temple period.
c. 537 BC
First Return of Exiles
A significant number of Jewish exiles, led by Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest, return to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the Temple.
c. 536 BC
Temple Foundation Laid
The foundation of the Second Temple is laid amidst great rejoicing and sorrow, but progress soon stalls due to opposition.
c. 520 BC— this verse
Haggai and Zechariah Prophesy
The prophets Haggai and Zechariah are raised up by God to encourage the people and Zerubbabel to resume and complete the Temple construction.
c. 516 BC
Temple Completed
The Second Temple is finally completed and dedicated, symbolizing the restoration of worship and the presence of God among His people.
This passage uses similar imagery of mountains being leveled and valleys being raised to describe God's transformative power in preparing a way for His people, echoing the idea of obstacles becoming smooth paths.
1 Corinthians 13:2Paul's teaching that even the greatest faith can move mountains highlights the spiritual principle that seemingly insurmountable challenges can be overcome through faith, aligning with Zerubbabel's task.
Matthew 17:20Jesus directly references the power of faith to move mountains, reinforcing the spiritual interpretation of Zechariah's vision where great obstacles are overcome not by human might but by divine power through faith.
Ezra 3:10-13This passage describes the laying of the foundation of the second temple, with a mix of shouts of joy and weeping, providing historical context for the 'shoutings' mentioned when Zerubbabel brings forth the top stone, reflecting the community's emotional investment in the rebuilding.
1 Peter 2:4-6Peter calls believers to be built up as spiritual stones, with Christ as the chief cornerstone, drawing a parallel between the physical temple's construction and the spiritual building of the Church, with Christ as the ultimate 'top stone'.
barnesZechariah 4:7: "Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it."
Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt be a plain - The words have the character of a sacred proverb; "Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased" Luke 14:11 ; Luke 18:14 . Isaiah prophesies the victories of the Gospel in the same imagery, "Every valley shall be exalted and every moun…
clarkeZechariah 4:7: "Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it."
O great mountain? - The hinderances which were thrown in the way; the regal prohibition to discontinue the building of the temple. Before Zerubbabel - a plain - The sovereign power of God shall remove them. March on, Zerubbabel; all shall be made plain and smooth before thee. I have given thee the work to do, a…
The phrase "Grace, grace to it!" isn't just a cheer; it's a profound acknowledgment that the entire project, from overcoming impossible obstacles to the final stone, is utterly dependent on God's favor. It’s a powerful reminder that true completion and success, whether in grand temple building or our own lives, are not earned but freely given by God's unending grace.
The prophet Zechariah is shown a vision of a golden lampstand with two olive trees, symbolizing God's empowering Spirit enabling Zerubbabel, the governor, to complete the difficult task of rebuilding the temple. Despite immense opposition, represented by a great mountain, Zechariah is assured that Zerubbabel will overcome these obstacles and, with divine help, finish the temple, culminating in joyous celebrations. This prophecy points to the ultimate completion of God's work through His chosen leaders, and ultimately, through Christ.
The prophet Zechariah is shown a vision of a golden lampstand with two olive trees, symbolizing God's empowering Spirit enabling Zerubbabel, the governor, to complete the difficult task of rebuilding the temple. Despite immense opposition, represented by a great mountain, Zechariah is assured that Zerubbabel will overcome these obstacles and, with divine help, finish the temple, culminating in joyous celebrations. This prophecy points to the ultimate completion of God's work through His chosen leaders, and ultimately, through Christ.
"Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”" — The phrase "Grace, grace to it!" isn't just a cheer; it's a profound acknowledgment that the entire project, from overcoming impossible obstacles to the final stone, is utterly dependent on God's fav…
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