(story told in Ezra 2:2-5:2)
Zerubbabel was a descendant of King David and one of the leaders chosen by God to help rebuild Jerusalem after the Israelites returned from exile in Babylon. When King Cyrus of Persia allowed the Jewish people to go home, Zerubbabel led the first group back to Judah. The city was in ruins, the temple destroyed, and the people discouraged—but Zerubbabel trusted that God had called him to restore His house and His people.
Once in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel and the priest Jeshua began rebuilding the altar of the Lord so that sacrifices could resume. The people gathered together and offered praise and thanksgiving, laying the foundation for the new temple. It was a moment of both joy and tears—some celebrated the new beginning, while others wept, remembering the glory of the old temple.
However, the work did not go smoothly. Local enemies opposed the rebuilding and wrote letters to the Persian kings, trying to stop the project. Because of this pressure, construction on the temple halted for several years. But God sent prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage Zerubbabel, reminding him that the temple would be finished “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord.
Strengthened by these words, Zerubbabel and the people returned to work. They rebuilt the temple’s walls, completed the structure, and restored worship in Jerusalem. His leadership brought hope and renewal to a weary nation.
Zerubbabel’s story shows that God can use faithful leaders to rebuild what has been broken. Though the task was hard, his courage and trust in God proved that great things are possible when we rely on God’s Spirit instead of our own strength.