This is primarily a message of encouragement. Zechariah is being assured that the temple will be finished. But there is a familiar sounding message here to for us post New Testament Christians.
It’s not human power or ingenuity that will get the job done, just a willingness for those things to be used by God; to allow His spirit to do His thing. It is always worth remembering our place when we have great plans. Our plans and skills are necessary but our willingness to let God work through them is the key.
Our Quest for Knowledge
What really leaped out for me in this passage is Zechariah’s persistent quest for knowledge. When the angel shows a vision Zechariah is not content with just seeing it but he seeks understanding of it too. When question by the angel in a very assuming way he wants to make sure that he has the understanding correct. It gets to the point in verse eleven that Zechariah becomes impatient and asks again for an answer. His persistence pays off and he gets the answers he desires.
Zechariah is not told to go away. He is not told that some things are not for his understanding. He didn’t get the information first time but his persistence did pay off. As any parent will know, God is clearly setting a precedent here. Zachariah is now very aware that if he keeps asking God will give him the answers he seeks.
God does not want us to be ignorant. We are designed to find things out. We are designed to learn. This is evident all around us. Science is the quest for knowledge and far from being at odds with Christianity we need to remember that God invented it. He put within us the desire to learn. He designed us that way and who better to give the answers we seek that the author Himself.
So, do you have a question? Do you not understand what God is doing or where He is taking you? Have you asked Him?
