Not By Might or Power, But By God's Spirit - Zechariah 4:6

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how the angel asked him, “What see you? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spoke to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Know you not what these be? And I said, No, my lord”, and in chapter four and verse six of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said, “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts” where we read,

Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, 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. 

The verse reads, “Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying,...” Zechariah began with the words, “then he answered” or “at that time he, the angel began to speak and responded” “and spoke unto me” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “this is the word” which means “the following exists as the speech, utterance and decreee” “of the LORD”or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “unto Zerubbabel” which means “to Zerubbabel whose name means sown in Babylon and was the grandson of king Jehoiachin and leader of the first group of returning exiles from Babylon”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Zechariah shared how the angel told him that the following words were from Jehovah God to the leader within Israel named “Zerubbabel”.

The verse continues, “... Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah added the words, “not by might” or “no and not in any way through the means of strength, efficiency, wealth or ability”, “nor by power” which means “no and not in any way through the means of human strength, produce, wealth or capacity”, “but by my spirit” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover through the means of my, Jehovah God's, breath, animation, vivacity, vigor and courage”, “says the LORD of hosts” which means “utters, declares and proclaims Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God who is over the spiritual army of angels and warriors”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God declared to Zerubbabel that “might and power” of human beings were insufficient to bring about His will, however, His breath, vivacity and courage could accomplish whatever He desired. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how the will of God was going to be accomplished by His “Spirit” rather than any ability or might within people. We also should rely upon God's “Spirit”rather than our own ability, power and capacity to perform His will. God loves us, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to empower us to fulfill His will in the world. )See Johan 16:13; Acts 1:8) 

Next time Zechariah shares how Jehovah God asks, “who are you, O great mountain?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".