Someone has wisely said, "the only thing that we learn from history is that we don't learn from history." If we were rolling dice and the same number came up time after time, it would not take long before someone concluded that the dice were loaded. From the very beginning man has sought out many devices wherein he could fulfill his own desires while disregarding the law of GOD. This pattern was repeated over and over again until the scripture says, "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Gen 6:5) Of course what followed was the destruction of all living creatures in the earth except the fish and those whom the LORD was pleased to preserve in the Ark.
In GOD's purpose HE cleaned the slate (so to speak) and started over again with Noah and his family. Shortly after leaving the ark even those who were preserved manifested the very traits that were evident in those who perished in the flood. (see Gen. 9:18-29). Some scholars believe it was perhaps only a hundred years after the flood that the tower of Babel was erected. This was a testament to man's desire to exalt himself and devise his own means and pattern of worship, and in his rebellion, overthrow the purpose of GOD. (see Gen.11:4-7) But, the purpose of GOD cannot be overturned, for even the evil devised by wicked men is ordered in such a way by HIM so as to cause HIS purpose to be fulfilled in the earth by it. (see Gen.50:20) GOD determined to confuse the language of men and to bring great division among them to stymie and thwart their puny efforts to exalt themselves. (see Luke 12:51)
It is interesting to note that the location where this tower of Babel was built, is in the land which came to be known as Babylonia. Babylon, in the scripture is typical of the religion of man's flesh and is that which is despised by the LORD as is illustrated in Babylon's ultimate destruction in the book of the Revelation. (see Rev.18:2,10,21) The Hebrew word for "Babel" literally means "place of division and confusion" .and this is illustrated quite well as the LORD confused the language of the people there and caused great division on the account of their love of the flesh. One of the lessons that we learn here is that GOD has placed restraints upon the wickedness of men which would have no bounds otherwise. Men will be as wicked as GOD allows them to be. (see Ps.76:10)
Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the temple in the days of Ezra and became the governor of Judah. His name literally means: "a stanger at Babylon, a disperser of confusion". This is especially interesting since he was actually born in Babylon, but was yet a stranger in the land of his nativity. He was perhaps the author of the the 137 Psalm. No doubt he likely at some point said, "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof." (Psa 137:1-2)
But the Zerubbabel to which Zechariah primarily refers is not this son of Shealtiel but is that ONE who is the only begotten SON of GOD. HE did indeed tabernacle among us in a body like unto our own and was born in a land in which HE was a stranger and had not even a place to lay HIS head. Though this ONE, JESUS of Nazareth, did confess that HE came to cause division, yet the division that HE spoke of was one wherein HE would divide HIS sheep from the goats. For HIS purpose in the earth was not the absolute division of all men; in fact HE came to establish a bond of kinship and love among those whom HE is pleased to give ears to hear the sweet sound of the gospel. The angels heralded HIS birth saying. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14) so he went about the earth doing good and came not to condemn the world because the world was already condemned. (see John 3:17-21)
This ZERUBBABEL has established HIS kingdom that shall never pass away by demonstrating:
The power and strength of the LORD. HE came not to do HIS own will but the will of the ONE who sent HIM. Therefore, HE is "mighty to save" possessing both light and life and bestowing both upon HIS elect children. HE has clearly shown that it is not by might nor power (i.e.; of the flesh) but by HIS SPIRIT. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."(John 1:12-13)
The removal of all obstacles that could hinder it. HE has made the "mountain a plain" by entering in once into the holy place with HIS own blood, forever removing any grounds whereby any charge may be laid against the elect. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31)
HE is become the headstone of the corner. "What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." (Luke 20:17-18) There are shoutings of "Grace, grace, unto it", for HE alone has made us to differ from another. We love HIM because HE first loved us and has called us out of the darkness from which we could not rescue ourselves.
HE has laid the foundation and shall finish the building. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:2) "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Rev 1:8) "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"(Phil.1:6) No part of this kingdom depends on anyone but HIM.
HE has established HIS righteousness. Zechariah said "for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel" (Zec.4:10) There is no other standard by which men will be measured. There is no other righteousness which will be accepted in the courts of heaven. "That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1Cor 1:29-31). Herein we will rejoice for HE has made us glad in HIS righteousness.
mam