That which Zerubabel cared to have was a little spot of ground among
the mountains. It was the village of Bethlehem, the place from which
David had been called away long ago, from feeding his father's sheep,
to come and be king of Israel. Why should Zerubabel care for that
little piece of ground more than for Solomon's palace, that was so
glorious? One reason was, that the Prophet Micah had said, "But thou,
Bethlehem-Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,
yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in
Israel; whose goings have been from everlasting."
And faithful men understood that this meant that the Saviour of
the world should be born at Bethlehem, and that He would be among
Zerubabel's children's children. That was why Zerubabel cared so much
for the poor little ruined village, and took care to make a home of it
again, though now there were only a hundred and twenty-three people to
come back to live in it. God was pleased with Zerubabel's faith, and
blessed him because he had not despised the day of small things.
God said that to Zerubabel a mountain should become a plain--that is,
that what seemed most difficult should grow easy, and that Zerubabel
should be the man who should build up the Temple again--God's own
House, that was lying in ruins. That was the great honor this good man
had, because he believed in God's promise with all his heart, and went
so bravely and steadily to work upon a little, when he could not do a
great deal. For to him that is faithful in a little shall much be given.
[Illustration: BUILDING OF THE NEW TEMPLE.--Ezra 3:10.]