Earthly Means, Heavenly Results

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth.” Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?” He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Zechariah 4:8–14
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Earthly Means, Heavenly Results
We do not have a distant and aloof God. He comes into His creation and guides us in His ways. He uses His created means of governments and institutions to accomplish His holy will. God used earthly leaders like Joshua and Zerubbabel to accomplish His work in this world. Rebuilding the temple was a most important project for the community of believers in Zechariah’s day, many of whom had returned from exile in Babylon. God continues to use earthly leaders to build His kingdom of believers, the communion of saints. Yet no pastor, teacher, or layperson can keep the lamp of faith and holy living alight by his or her own efforts. The Holy Spirit gives life and strength to believers through Word and Sacrament to build God’s holy temple of living stones. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see how He is at work in our world. It is God who makes us strong in our faith so that we may better serve as one of His instruments.