In our study of Zechariah chapter four, we look at the source of power that enables us to do work for God. In chapter 3, we saw how Joshua the high priest was saved and cleansed for service to God. Now, we will learn about the source of his power to serve and apply it to our lives as well.
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Then the angel that had been speaking with me returned and roused me, as if he were waking someone up from being asleep,
We see that Zechariah had fallen asleep between the sixth vision and the one that is to come now. It is important to understand that these were not dreams as he was awake for each vision.
and asked me, "What do you see?" I answered, "I've been looking at a menorah; it's all of gold, with a bowl at its top, seven lamps on it, and seven tubes leading to the lamps at its top.
Now, he has his seventh vision of the night and sees a golden lampstand. A menorah (lampstand with seven lights) is the symbol for God's people and was used in the tabernacle and temple for worship of God. The high priest would fill the lamps with oil and light them each evening as well as putting them out in the morning. In this vision, the menorah is different in that there was a big bowl on top and channels that delivered oil to each lamp. The lamps are a symbol of being a witness to the world as Yeshua was the light of the world and called us to be the light in his absence here on earth.
Next to it are two olive trees, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left."
On either side of the lampstand was an olive tree and olive oil was used to light the lamps. Throughout the Bible, the olive (and the olive tree) have been symbols of spiritual richness. It was on the Mount of Olives that Yeshua Messiah would go to pray and the name Gethsemane which is the garden there means olive press. These two olive trees would supply the oil to the bowl on top of the lampstand and then it would be distributed to the individual lamps through channels. This reminds us that it is only through the power supplied by the Holy Spirit that we are ready and able to serve God by being the light in this dark world.
I then asked the angel speaking with me, "What are these, my Lord?" The angel speaking with me said, "Don't you know what these are?" I said, "No, my Lord."
Zechariah asked what it was that he was seeing and the angel answered by asking a question. The angel was in fact saying you should know what these things are. The items were familiar as they were used in the temple but still he did not understand their total meaning. God does expect us to study his word and to know why we believe what we believe.
Then he answered me, "This is the word of ADONAI to Z'rubavel: 'Not by force, and not by power, but by my Spirit,' says ADONAI-Tzva'ot.
Now the angel tells him who the message is for and it is for Zerubbabel who was getting ready to rebuild the temple. The message was simple in that it was a reminder that it was only by the power of God through the Holy Spirit that it would be done. This is a very good message for us as well in that, no matter what we are doing for the kingdom, it will only be successful through the power of the Spirit.
'What are you, you big mountain? Before Z'rubavel you will become a plain; and he will put the capstone in place, as everyone shouts, "It's beautiful! Beautiful!"'
Throughout the Bible, mountains are a symbol of nations and kingdoms and here it speaks of an empire that opposes the will of God and his people. This is speaking of the empire that will arise in the last days and be defeated by Yeshua Messiah.
This message from ADONAI came to me: 'The hands of Z'rubavel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will also finish it.' Then you will know that ADONAI-Tzva'ot sent me to you.
This glory will be seen as God uses Zerubbabel to complete what he has started. The same is true for us as God is glorified as we complete the works which he has prepared for us to do (see Ephesians 2).
For even someone who doesn't think much of a day when such minor events take place will rejoice at seeing the plumbline in the hand of Z'rubavel. So these seven are the eyes of ADONAI that range about over all the earth."
The plumb line may seem like a small thing but it was used to make sure that things were straight up and down when they were built. If walls were not straight as they were being built and leaned too far, they could collapse. The same is true for us and the building of our faith in that we must be plumb with the Word of God. The seven channels that were in the vision are the complete knowledge (eyes) of God. We stay plumb with him by studying his word and by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our every step.
I replied by asking him, "What are those two olive trees on the right and left sides of the menorah?" Then I asked the question again: "What are those two olive branches discharging gold[-colored oil] through the two gold spouts?"
It is interesting to note that Zechariah wants to know about the olive trees and asks twice but the first time he calls them trees and the second time he calls them branches. God is revealing to him that the olive trees/branches are people powered by the Holy Spirit as we shall see. The same type of thing happens with us many times as God is trying to tell us something and we are kinda putting it together but not quite there in our understanding. As the patient Father, he allows us to ask questions and to learn as we go and you know that the Father is very proud when his child understands and grows. You can almost picture Yeshua Messiah and Gabriel slapping high fives in heaven when they see us come to understand more about God and his plan.
He replied, "Don't you know what they are?" I answered, "No, my Lord." He said, "Those are the two who have been anointed with oil; they are standing with the Lord of all the land."
Once again, when Zechariah asks about the meaning of the vision, the angel reminds him that he should know. Then, he tells him that the two olive trees are servants (witnesses) who have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to allow them to serve. These two witnesses are also described in detail by John in Revelation 11. As believers in Yeshua Messiah, that is the same power that is in us and gives us the power to serve and do great things for God.
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