What did the people of God, paralyzed by discouragement, need to hear? The Lord does not reply to their concern over their lack of progress by saying, Just have a positive self-image.
He does not challenge their view that the present state of affairs is as nothing in their eyes. For the Lord deals not in fantasy, but in reality.1 And so he responds by teaching them how to live in this less-than-glorious age. He encourages the rebuilding process by calling them to faithfulness.
4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts,