“‘Speak to Zerubbabel,
The governor of Judah,
Saying.
‘I am about
To shake the heavens.
I am about
To shake the earth.
I am about
To overthrow
The throne of kingdoms.
I am about
To destroy
The strength
Of the kingdoms
Of the nations.
I am about
To overthrow
The chariots,
With their riders.
The horses,
With their riders,
Shall also fall.
Everyone shall fall
By the sword of a comrade.’
‘On that day,’
Says Yahweh of hosts.
‘I will take you,
O Zerubbabel,
My servant,
The son of Shealtiel.’
Says Yahweh.
‘I will make you
Like a signet ring.
I have chosen you!’
Says Yahweh of hosts.”
Yahweh said that Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, would have a special role in the new kingdom of Israel. Yahweh was going to shake up heaven and earth. He was going to overthrow all the kingdoms and countries on the earth. All the chariots, with their riders, as well as the cavalry with their horses would all fall. Zerubbabel, the servant of Yahweh, would have a signet ring because Yahweh had chosen him. His grandfather would have been a king as part of the Davidic lineage