How does the phrase "become a plain" connect to God's promises in Isaiah 40:4? Setting the Scene Zechariah 4:7: “What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain.” Isaiah 40:4: “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.” The Phrase in Context (Zechariah 4:7) • Zerubbabel faces political pressure, scarce resources, and weary workers while rebuilding the temple. • The “mountain” represents every obstacle in his path. • God pledges to flatten that mountain into “a plain,” turning the impossible into level ground. • Verse 6 anchors the promise: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” declaring that divine power, not human strength, clears the way. Parallel Promise (Isaiah 40:4) • Isaiah speaks comfort to exiles longing for home. • The prophet pictures a royal highway: valleys filled, mountains leveled, rough places smoothed. • The goal: “the glory of the LORD will be revealed” (v. 5). • As with Zerubbabel, God undertakes the work Himself; His people simply walk the path He prepares. Connecting the Two Passages • Shared imagery: impassable heights reduced to a plain (Hebrew mišôr—level, even ground). • Shared purpose: remove barriers so God’s presence and promises reach His people unhindered. – Zechariah: temple completion ushers worship and covenant renewal. – Isaiah: return from exile heralds national restoration and ultimate Messianic hope. • Shared assurance: – “The mouth of the LORD has spoken” (Isaiah 40:5). – “Not by might… but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). • Together they affirm that whatever towers against God’s plan—political powers, personal sin, spiritual opposition—He makes it a plain. Promises Wrapped Together • Physical: geographical language underscores God’s rule over creation. • Historical: both prophecies flank the exile—Isaiah foresees the return; Zechariah witnesses its outworking. • Spiritual: the leveled ground prefigures the way Christ opens to the Father (John 14:6). • Eschatological: Revelation 21:3 echoes the theme—God dwelling with His people, all hindrances gone. Living the Truth Today • Obstacles that loom like mountains—addiction, fear, cultural hostility—are no match for the Spirit who levels ground. • God’s promises invite confidence: what He speaks, He performs (Numbers 23:19). • The call is to step forward on the path He has already smoothed, trusting His Word and Spirit to finish what He has begun (Philippians 1:6). |
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