Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might- Nor by Power - But by My Spirit

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” — Zechariah 4:6, KJV

Zechariah 4:6 was God's word of encouragement to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah who was responsible for leading the rebuilding of the Temple after the Babylonian exile. The work faced serious opposition and discouragement, but God reminded Zerubbabel that His purpose would not ultimately be accomplished through human strength alone.

“Not by might” refers to human resources, collective strength, or armies. “Nor by power” emphasizes human ability, capacity, and strength. God was teaching Zerubbabel: Do not measure the possibility of completing My work by the strength you presently possess.

The decisive words are:

“But by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

The Temple would be completed because God's Spirit would enable the work God had commanded. Zerubbabel still had to lead, labor, organize, and persevere, but the ultimate source of success was not Zerubbabel—it was God.

This becomes even clearer in the following verse:

“Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain...” — Zechariah 4:7

The “great mountain” represents an overwhelming obstacle standing before the work. What appeared insurmountable to Zerubbabel was not insurmountable to God.

Personal Application

There are assignments God gives us that are deliberately greater than our natural strength. We may have limited resources, opposition, fatigue, or circumstances that appear impossible. Zechariah 4:6 reminds us not to make human strength the measurement of what God can accomplish.

This does not mean we do nothing. Zerubbabel still had to build. Rather, it means:

We work—but depend upon His Spirit.
We prepare—but trust His Spirit.
We persevere—but rely upon His Spirit.
We obey—but give God the glory for the increase.

When God has truly assigned the work, the question is not simply, “Am I strong enough?” The greater question is, “Am I depending upon the Spirit of God?”

And the chapter gives Zerubbabel this assurance:

“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it...” — Zechariah 4:9, KJV

What God had called him to begin, God would empower him to finish.