4:8-9 Another word from the Lord also came to Zechariah about Zerubbabel. This appears to be another oracle that the writer inserted here because it is appropriate at this point. He promised that as Zerubbabel had laid the foundation of the temple (Ezra 3:8-11; 5:16), so he would also complete it (cf. Ezra 6:14-18).92Then the people would know that it was indeed the Lord who had sent the messenger who brought this message to Zechariah. The messenger in view appears to be the angel of the Lord (cf. 1:11-12; 2:8-9, 11; 3:1, 5-6).
4:10 The people would be ashamed that they had despised the rebuilding project as insignificant (cf. Ezra 3:12; Hag. 2:3).93The Lord Himself was glad to see Zerubbabel building with his plumb line as His omniscient eyes surveyed all that was happening in the world (cf. 3:9; 2 Chron. 16:9). The Hebrew words translated "plumb line"may mean "separated [i.e., chosen] stone."In this case the idea would be that the Lord, in addition to His people, would rejoice when He saw the capstone put in place (cf. v. 7; Ezra 6:16-22). Now His people could serve Him as He purposed.
