Zerubbabel
Advent Devotion
the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha,
Luke 3:23-34
In this portion of Jesus’ genealogy, there is only one name from a thousand years of history whose story we know more than just their name and lineage: Zerubbabel. He is the first person in Jesus’ family tree who is identifiable in the Old Testament. Zerubbabel is commonly referred to as the son of Shealtiel (Ezra 3:2, 8; 5:2; Nehemiah 12:1; Haggai 1:1, 12, 14; 2:2, 23; 1 Chronicles 3:19), making him the grandson of King Jehoiachin. His very name, meaning “born in Babylon,” reminds us of the exile that marked one of the darkest times in Israel’s history.
Zerubbabel lived during the worst points of Israel’s story. The people of God were exiled in Babylon, cast out of their homeland, and stripped of their way of life. The temple was destroyed, their homes were gone, and they were strangers in a foreign land. Yet, Zerubbabel played a crucial role in the renewal of God’s people. Appointed governor of Jerusalem, he oversaw the rebuilding of the altar and later the temple when a group of Jews returned from exile in 538 BC (Ezra 3:8).
Through the prophet Haggai, God encouraged Zerubbabel to take up the monumental task of rebuilding the temple:
“Be strong, Zerubbabel,” declares the Lord. “Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,” declares the Lord, “and work. For I am with you,” declares the Lord Almighty. (Haggai 2:4, NIV)
In Haggai 2:23, Zerubbabel is called God’s “signet ring,” a symbol of divine authority and favor. Zerubbabel’s work in rebuilding the temple pointed to a greater fulfillment. Though the second temple he helped construct was a place of worship and sacrifice, it was only a shadow of what was to come.
Centuries later, Jesus revealed himself as the ultimate fulfillment of the temple:
“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19, NIV)
Jesus was not speaking of a physical building but of His own body (John 2:21). He is the true temple where God dwells with His people (John 1:14), the ultimate sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:10), and the place where heaven and earth meet. Zerubbabel’s labor to rebuild the temple finds its fullest meaning in Jesus, whose coming at Christmas brought God’s presence to us in a way the physical temple never could.
As we reflect on Zerubbabel’s faithfulness and God’s work through him, let us remember the greater fulfillment we celebrate at Christmas: God dwelling with us through Jesus Christ, the true and everlasting temple.