Verse 7
A great mountain would become a plain before Zerubbabel. Mountains epitomize large obstacles (cf. Isaiah 40:4; Isaiah 41:15; Isaiah 49:11; Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23; 1 Corinthians 13:2). They are also symbols of kingdoms (cf. Isaiah 41:15; Jeremiah 51:25; Daniel 2:35; Daniel 2:45; et al), but that is not the meaning here. The whole process of temple restoration seemed like a mountainous job to the few exiles who returned from captivity. In addition, there was much opposition to building (Ezra 4:1-5; Ezra 4:24), and the Israelites themselves proved unwilling to persevere in the task (Haggai 1:14; Haggai 2:1-9). Nevertheless, God would reduce this mountain to a flat plain by assisting the workers.
Furthermore Zerubbabel would bring forth the top stone, the final stone on the project, with shouts of "Grace, grace to it." The joyful cry of the people as they saw the last stone put in place would voice their prayer that God’s blessing would now rest on the beautiful structure that His grace had made possible.
"There is nothing that makes the heart of God’s people more ready to overflow with the truest joy than to witness success or the fulfillment of God’s promises in the work of the kingdom." [Note: Leupold, p. 90.]
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