Sometimes I come across a Bible verse in a book or online that stops me in my tracks and makes me want to know more about its context. As a hyper sensitive and emotional person, it is important to me to ensure that the way a verse makes me FEEL is not more important than its actual meaning. Late last summer, for reasons I don’t even remember, I began to study the book of Zechariah. There is a verse in chapter 4 that completely jumped out at me.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:10.
Now at the time, I focused only on the first half of the verse because honestly I had absolutely no idea what the second half even meant. What is a plumb line and what (or rather WHO) is Zerubbabel?
Last year during the study of this book, I shared a graphic on Facebook with that verse and these words: “I started studying Zechariah last night. There is a lot of hope in this book… that it’s never too late. That God always wants you. That we all start with nothing. Don’t let what you don’t know hold you back. And if you are someone who has been walking with the Lord for a long time don’t ever look down on those who haven’t; remember you were once there. This can go for other things in life too. We all have our areas of expertise BUT we all have a time in our past where we were just beginning. Don’t look at where you are as anything negative. Every step of your journey is important to you and to God!”
I still believe these words in context to the verse and the entire book of Zechariah, but when this post popped up on my timeline this year I wanted to know more. The verse meant even more to me this year, simply because the words “small beginnings” made me think of my tiny Ezra. Being two months early and still in the NICU when this post came up in my memories, it really resonated with me. For so many reasons.
The first thing I wanted to know this time around was what in the world is a plumb line? The book of Zechariah is a book of prophesy, and it talks a lot about the rebuilding of the temple in the aftermath of the Babylonian exile. So when I thought about what a plumb line may be in the context of construction and rebuilding, I thought maybe it had something to do with plumbing, right? But I mean, did they even have ANY kind of plumbing back then? I don’t know! So, of course, I went to google and what I found out was so interesting and so profound to me.
The easiest way that I can describe it is that a plumb line is a string or rope with a weight of some sort attached to the bottom end. The purpose of a plumb line is to determine a straight vertical line. When the cord is held up with the weight dangling at the bottom, the result is a straight line. It is used during construction to ensure that the work being done is straight.
Now, who was Zerubbabel? He was the head of the tribe of Judah at the return of the Babylonian exile. He was also who initiated the rebuilding of the temple. Zerubbabel in the book of Zechariah could refer to God’s people as a whole during the period of time that this work on the temple was being done.
So the verse again:
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:10.
If the beginning of the work is the plumb line in the hands of God’s people, we can totally apply this to life and not just the rebuilding of the temple. I like to think of the plumb line in my life being God’s word. When I compare everything I’m doing, thinking, and saying to the Bible, it’s bound to straighten me out. Sometimes we have to go back to the beginning, back to the foundation of our faith to double check that what we are doing is lining up straight. Without checking our plumb line, before we know it we can be so off track that our lives begin to look a lot more like the leaning tower of Pisa than living temples to our God. (“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and God’s spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16)
Going back to the small beginnings to make sure we’re lining up is essential not only to living Godly lives, but also to our growth. Growth as Christians is a continual journey. Once the construction on a building or structure has finished, you may think that is the end, but it’s not. Buildings require maintenance. And it is only once the construction is done that the building can be used for its intended purpose. The construction phase of our “building” or “temple” may be complete once we accept salvation, but that is when the real work begins. To be used according to His purpose, and to continue to maintain our faith and learn and grow. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
I’m sorry if all of this sounds SUPER corny, but it’s just what’s been on my heart and in my mind, and I hope it can resonate with someone else the way it has with me.
I’m working on some writing about my hard pregnancy, traumatic birthing experience, and our NICU stay. For some reason that was interrupted by these constant thoughts about Zechariah and the questions I had about this verse. I hope that what I’ve learned can be helpful to someone else. If nothing else, writing it down will help me commit it to memory and ensure that a year from now when I come across this verse again I haven’t forgotten what I’ve already researched!
I’ve always wondered what the second part of this verse meant. Thank you for your insight! God bless you and your family!
I heard the word this year in prophetic words…now I just got a clear understanding of what it means
I have been pondering over the scripture and really could not see how it related to us so I thank you for you insight it has shared so much for me . God bless you heaps .
Thanks for sharing. Trust the purposes of God in Christ in your family’s life continues to grow and abound in abundant life and fruit for our Father and your brethren and friends.
Thanks a lot for this. Your message was really clear and inspiring.
Thanks, very insightful, and yes, as you’ve stated, writing it down, will help later.
Thank you for sharing Linda.
The scriptures are definitely our plumb line. To measure up to what the Lord expects of us and what He can make of us, we have to be straight. Straight with Him and Straight with ourselves. Thanks for the reminder and another good analogy that I missed.
I’m using some of this in a sermon. Great thoughts. Helpful to our people right now.
Thankyou for this it was very helpful!
Thank you-your writing is a culmination of a vision God gave me, a spiritual attack and then listening to a current video prophecy during Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 by Lana Vawser.
It all gels together and is confirmation to what I feel Holy Spirit is teaching me about being rescued from the spiritual attack, picking up my sword, being obedient to what He wants to do through Him and being a plumb line while the sword of His Word is the vertical piercing the centre of earth’s gravity. Thanks again for what you’ve written and being ready to post it. Amen!
Thanks for your thoughts on this passage! I stumbled upon it when I was studying the passage myself and found your thoughts refreshing and applicable to the Covid-19 pandemic and the paradigm shift it is causing in peoples lives. It is a disruption on so many levels – physical health, financial health, mental health and spiritual health.
Thanks for taking the time to capture your heart and your thoughts in writing it down for yourself and to edify us!
I, like you, googled this….and found you. Going through a journey right now that is difficult. What you said about whatever is going on Gods word is the plum line that straightens everything out”. You said this in just the right way I needed to hear it. Thank you for allowing the spirit to move you out of your “current” space to jot this down.
Thank you for this. You articulated what has been in my heart but with no words to pull out the truth in the book of Zechariah. So much truth in the book 💕💕💕
Thank you sweetie. I was having a difficult night believing and went 2 my Bible. It fell open to Zachariah 4. I looked up the same questions you’re asking here and your post came up in a search. Thank you for sharing. It was meant to be that I read this tonight.
It’s evening here in California and I’m embarking in my very own plumbline experience. God’s moving me to get a house. He gave me to read Amos chapter 7, 8, and 9. I did exactly the same thing which was google what that word meant. Then I saw your post and was intrigued even more. I too want to remain straight and look back a year from now that I accomplished what he set out for me to do. So I’m off in my pursuit with my plumbline in hand. In spite of all the events occurring I have come to realize that he works best when the world is upside down. I’m only breathing in but I’m going for it in complete faith that what he promised he will do. Thank you for sharing this post. A golden nugget to continue on the right path.
Thank you for sharing! You brought clarity to the meaning of the verse for me. God bless you and your precious family.
I am doing a study on Genesis 1:1;26. In the beginning. What an awesome commentary concerning the plumb line. I needed this. Don’t despise small beginnings. God put everything in us from the beginning and we must allow it to grow us in righteousness.
I stumbled on this post because I too was needing to understand the significance of the plumb line. Then when I saw Zerubbabel’s hand I was even more interested. Who is Zerubbabel? Thank you for sharing. I do have greater insight and understanding now, after reading what you have shared. I just wanted to say thank you and let you know that, perhaps, what you have intended by sharing this piece is come to fruition. You have helped a stranger to understand about the plumb line. Be well.