Victory Over Evil Accusations

Yeshua and Zerubbabel applied themselves to building up the work of the Lord that had fallen into disrepair. The enemy came against them, but the Lord gave them the victory.

Yeshua’s (יְשׁוּע) name means “the Lord saves.” The English transliteration of Yeshua is Jesus. It is no coincidence that a man named Yeshua restored worship in the land of Judah! Yeshua, the high priest of Judah was a forerunner of the Yeshua, Messiah, who was to come.

Zerubbabel’s (זְרֻבָּבֶל) name means “born in Babylon.” Zerubbabel’s name reminds him of the many years that he spent being distant from God’s house, but now he is the governor of Judah.

Yeshua and Zerubbabel “arose and built the altar of the God.” “Though fear had come upon them because of the people of those countries, they set the altar on its bases; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening burnt offerings.” “They also kept the Feast of Tabernacles.” “They also gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the permission which they had from Cyrus king of Persia.” [1]

Yeshua’s and Zerubbabel’s fear of the people from the countries surrounding them was well founded, because those people did not want God’s house rebuilt. They opposed worship of God.

Yeshua and his helpers united and guided the people to rebuild God’s house. He also organized the priests with apparel, trumpets, and with cymbals “to praise the Lord.” “They sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord.” When the foundation of God’s house was built all the people shouted praises to the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” [2]

All was well until the adversaries of God’s people came along. At first, they tried to infiltrate the ranks of God’s people, saying, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do. We have sacrificed to Him.” Zerubbabel and Yeshua said to them, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.” So, what tactic did the enemies use next? They “tried to discourage the people,” “They troubled them.” “They hired counselors (lawfare) against them to frustrate their purpose” for many days. [3]

They composed false accusations (fake news) against them. They told the king that these builders and worshippers were rebellious and evil people. They warned the king that they would cause his kingdom to collapse, saying, “They will not pay tax, tribute, or custom, and the king’s treasury will be diminished.” They told the king that God’s people were insurrectionist. “They have incited sedition within the city in former times, for which cause this city was destroyed.” [4]

So, the king of Persia gave “the command to make these men cease.” “Thus the work of the house of God, which is at Jerusalem ceased [during the reign of Artaxerxes], and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” [5]

But God blessed His people with the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. “The prophets of God were with them, helping them.” [6]

Some of the Lord’s words to Yeshua and Zerubbabel are recorded in Zechariah’s prophecy. Zechariah wrote that the Lord, “showed me Yeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, O Satan; even the Lord that has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?’ Now Yeshua was clothed with filthy garments and stood before the angel. And He answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘Behold, I have taken your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with change of raiment.’ ‘Hear now, O Yeshua the high priest, you, and your fellows that sit before you: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth My Servant the Branch.” [7]

Satan is the accuser of God’s people. Jesus is the One who justifies God’s people. The Branch that the Lord refers to in Zechariah’s prophecy is Jesus Christ. Christ silences our accuser. [8]

The Lord had a message for Governor Zerubbabel as well. He said to him via Zachariah, “This is the Word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.’” [9] Unclean spirits are overcome by a greater Spirit... the Holy Spirit.

Also, by faith in the Word of God! God says, “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” [10]

The Lord warns against “being puffed up with pride” lest we “fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” [11] We must rely on the Lord for victory and not on ourselves.

The Lord directs us to hope in Jesus Messiah for victory over foes.... “Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.” [12]

Godliness springs forth from the God who was manifest in the flesh, namely, Jesus Messiah. Jesus is the One who was “received up in glory.” He gives to us grace and goodness as we believe in Him and profess Him alone as our Savior.

[1] Ezra 3:2-4, 7
[2] Ezra 3:9-11; Psalm 100:5
[3] Ezra 4:1-5
[4] Ezra 4:6-14, 21
[5] Ezra 4:23-24
[6] Ezra 5:1-2
[7] Zechariah 3:1-4, 8
[8] Revelation 12:10; Romans 8; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15
[9] Zechariah 4:6
[10] Proverbs 3:25-26
[11] 1 Timothy 3:6