The Lord is present with his people not merely as an observer, a bystander, but as the active, dynamic Spirit he is. As he filled Bezalel for the craftsmanship to build the tabernacle (Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:31), as he rested on Moses and the elders to bear the burden of the people (Numbers 11:17, Numbers 11:25–29), so the Lord assures his people now that his Spirit is among them, and remains among them. So they did not need to face their task with undue discouragement.1 Success in rebuilding depends on him alone.
5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.