A Descendant of David and an Ancestor of Jesus
As we read the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, we read many familiar names in the first eleven verses. After the nation is exiled to Babylon, we see many unfamiliar names. But one name pops out. It is Zerubbabel, whom the Bible identifies as the son of Shealtiel.
Zerubbabel is the great-grandson of Josiah, the last God-honoring king of Judah. This means that Zerubbabel has royal blood in him. He’s a descendant of David and an ancestor of Jesus.
It’s after Josiah’s death that Nebuchadnezzar conquers Judah and deports the people. This means Zerubbabel is born in Babylonian captivity. But he gets to return to his ancestral home when King Cyrus allows the people to go back to Judah.
With Zerubbabel being part of David’s line, it’s not surprising for him to assume a lead role and serve as governor, even though there is no nation for him to rule as king.
Under Zerubbabel’s leadership, the people restore the altar in the destroyed temple and resume sacrifices as prescribed by Moses. Zerubbabel also begins rebuilding the temple, but legal opposition arises and halts progress.
The prophet Haggai addresses this, as does the prophet Zechariah. And even though Zechariah prophesies that Zerubbabel will complete the temple, the Bible does not confirm this.
Scripture credits Ezra with rebuilding the temple (though Zerubbabel is likely present and may have been involved with it).
After Ezra completes the temple, Nehemiah rebuilds the wall around Jerusalem. But this all starts with Zerubbabel rebuilding the altar and restoring right worship.
What might God be telling us to rebuild or restore?
How do we respond when we face opposition to completing what God has called us to do?
[Read about Zerubbabel in Ezra 3:2, Ezra 4:1–3, and Ezra 5:1–2. Discover more in Haggai 1–2, Zechariah 4:9–10, and Matthew 1:11–12.]
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Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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