A Vision of a Golden Lampstand. Zechariah 4:1-14
INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH
The prophet Zechariah lived at the same time as Haggai and was interested in the same effort to induce the Jews to carry on the rebuilding of their neglected Temple. The prophecies are dated a few years later than those of Haggai. In contrast to the direct and simple language of Haggai, Zechariah employs many figures and symbols to enforce his message. He especially wished to give encouragement and help to the leader and governor of the people, Zerubbabel, and the priest Joshua.
In the latter part of the book there are many pictures of the glorious and happy future, which God had in store for His people and of the Deliverer, who was to come to rule over them. There will come a great day “when the Lord shall be King over all the earth.”
The Oracle of the Lord of Hosts
INTRODUCTION, Zec_1:1-6EIGHT VISIONS CONCERNING ISRAEL, JUDAH, AND JERUSALEM, Zechariah 1:7-6:15
2. The Four Horns and Four Smiths, Zec_1:18-21
3. The Man with a Measuring Line, Zec_2:1-13
4. The High Priest and the Adversary, Zec_3:1-10
5. The Candelabrum and Two Olive Trees, Zec_4:1-14
A VISION OF A GOLDEN LAMPSTAND
And the angel who was speaking with me came back and awakened me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep.
He said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with its bowl [for oil] on the top of it and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it. [Mat_5:14, Mat_5:16; Luk_12:35; Php_2:15; Rev_1:20]
And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side [supplying it continuously with oil].” [Rev_11:4-13]
So I asked the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?”
Then the angel who was speaking with me answered me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
Then he said to me, “This [continuous supply of oil] is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel [prince of Judah], saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of whom the oil is a symbol],’ says the LORD of hosts.
‘What are you, O great mountain [of obstacles]? Before Zerubbabel [who will rebuild the temple] you will become a plain (insignificant)! And he will bring out the capstone [of the new temple] with loud shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”‘” [Ezr_4:1-5, Ezr_4:24; Isa_40:4]
Also the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundations of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know (recognize, understand fully) that the LORD of hosts has sent me [as His messenger] to you.
Who [with reason] despises the day of small things (beginnings)? For these seven [eyes] shall rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD which roam throughout the earth.” [Rev_5:6]
Then I said to him [who was speaking with me], “What are these two olive trees on the right side of the lampstand and on its left?”
And a second time I said to him, “What are these two olive branches which are beside the two golden pipes by which the golden oil is emptied?”
And he answered me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
Then he said, “These are the two sons of fresh oil [Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the prince of Judah] who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth [as His anointed ones].” [Rev_11:4]
F. B.Meyer
on
Zechariah 4:1-14
“NOT BY MIGHT NOR BY POWER”
Zerubbabel had faltered in the great work of reconstruction and had practically lost heart. Here he is encouraged to renew his efforts and persevere to the top-stone. He might be weak and flexible as a wick but none of his deficiencies could hinder him from finishing his life-work, if only his spirit was kindled with the divine fire and fed by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
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