{"id":56692,"date":"2019-03-20T18:54:53","date_gmt":"2019-03-20T15:54:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=56692"},"modified":"2025-09-25T21:24:50","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T18:24:50","slug":"56692","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/03\/20\/56692\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Has Despised the Day of Small Things?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cFor who has despised the day of small things?\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 Zechariah 4:10a (NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Introduction<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Today, by the grace of God, we\u2019re going to explore an important biblical principle: how to stand firm during the “day of small things”<\/strong> \u2014 a season many of us experience when our progress appears slow, insignificant, or invisible to the natural eye.<\/p>\n

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What Is the “Day of Small Things”?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This phrase comes from Zechariah 4:10<\/strong>, a prophetic encouragement from God to His people who had returned from exile. It refers to the season of small beginnings<\/strong> \u2014 when God’s promises have not yet been fully realized, and when visible results seem too small to be meaningful.<\/p>\n

But God warns: Do not despise these moments.<\/strong> Why? Because God often begins great works in small, humble, and obscure ways<\/strong> \u2014 both in Scripture and in our lives.<\/p>\n

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Theological Background: Israel’s Restoration and the Second Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To understand this more deeply, we must look at the post-exilic context of Israel\u2019s history.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After years of rebellion, idolatry, and injustice, both the Northern Kingdom (Israel)<\/strong> and the Southern Kingdom (Judah)<\/strong> were conquered \u2014 Israel by Assyria (2 Kings 17:6)<\/strong> and Judah by Babylon (2 Kings 25:8\u201311)<\/strong>. God’s judgment was severe, yet not final. He promised through the prophet Jeremiah<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Jeremiah 29:10 (NKJV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This return began under King Cyrus of Persia<\/strong>, who issued a decree allowing the Jews to go back to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1\u20134). But upon returning, the Israelites faced fierce opposition from those living in the land (Ezra 4), which stalled the rebuilding of the Temple of God<\/strong> \u2014 also known as Zerubbabel\u2019s Temple<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

At this point, God raised up two prophets: Haggai and Zechariah<\/strong>, to reignite hope and courage in the people.<\/p>\n

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Haggai\u2019s Prophetic Word: God’s Presence in the Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cWho is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Haggai 2:3 (NKJV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

God acknowledged the apparent insignificance of the present effort compared to Solomon\u2019s grand temple<\/strong>, but He assured them:<\/p>\n

\u201cBe strong… and work; for I am with you,\u201d says the Lord of hosts. \u201c…My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Haggai 2:4\u20135 (NKJV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then came a messianic promise<\/strong>\u2014one of the most beautiful in the Old Testament:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former… and in this place I will give peace.\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Haggai 2:9 (NKJV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u271d Theological Insight<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n

Though Zerubbabel\u2019s Temple was physically less impressive, its spiritual glory would surpass Solomon\u2019s Temple<\/strong>, because Jesus Christ\u2014the Prince of Peace\u2014would one day walk in it<\/strong> (cf. Luke 2:27, John 2:13\u201322<\/em>). This is a picture of God\u2019s redemptive pattern<\/strong>: beginning in weakness but ending in glory, just as the Cross led to Resurrection<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Zechariah\u2019s Vision: The Power of God\u2019s Spirit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Two months after Haggai\u2019s prophecy, Zechariah received a powerful vision:<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: \u2018Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,\u2019 says the Lord of hosts.\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And then, a remarkable declaration:<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Zechariah 4:7 (NKJV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

God promises that every obstacle standing in the way of the Temple’s rebuilding would be flattened \u2014 not by human strength, but by divine power.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally, God delivers the sobering question:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor who has despised the day of small things?\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Zechariah 4:10a (NKJV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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What Does This Mean for Us Today?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The day of small things<\/strong> is any season in life where God’s promises seem distant, and your efforts feel too minor to matter. It may be a new ministry, a fledgling business, spiritual growth, or your walk with God.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s what we learn:<\/p>\n