Zechariah 4 says,...Bible reading week 31, day 3

Today we are back in Zechariah, chapter 4 and on the fifth night vision.  In vision number four the focus was on Joshua, the High Priest and salvation that was to come from him and we were propelled forward to another Joshua who would save eternally.  It is interesting that Jesus' name is rightfully translated Joshua which means "God saves."  

v.1 - Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and roused me, as a man who is awakened from his sleep.

Zechariah is completely worn out from these four visions and he needs to be brought back to attention for vision number five is coming.  Daniel who also had visions from God got to these state.  It says in Daniel 10:9,

But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

v.2, 3 - He said to me, "What do you see?"  And I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl 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; also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side."

A simple question from the angel to Zechariah, "What do you see?"  We come across the number 7 again that represents completeness and fulfillment.  We have a lampstand that brings forth light for all to see.  A lampstand of 7 lamps with 7 spouts to feed each of the lamps from the bowl of oil to keep the lights going.  On top of that we have an olive tree on the right and on the left to provide the olives in which the oil was extracted to fill the bowl with fuel for the lamps.  We see a full cycle to keep this lampstand lit and going.

v.4 - Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, "What are these, my lord?"

Zechariah can describe what he sees but doesn't understand what these objects represent.

v.5 - So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, "Do you not know what these are?"  And I said, "No, my lord."

Here is a humble prophet of the Lord who speaks the words of God when called upon but willing to admit that he is clueless about the meaning of what he sees.  He takes the humble path to ask the questions rather than give his own views on the matter.

v.6, 7 - Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts.  'What are you, O great mountain?  Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"'"

Something was to be completed through the efforts of Zerubbabel and it was the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem from this remnant that journeyed back from Babylon.  This accomplishment was not to come from their might or power but by the power of the Spirit.  There would be great opposition to this effort, a mountain before them, but Zerubabbel would turn the mountain into a plain.  The opposition that seems big and impossible to go over would be flattened so the task could be completed.  There would be a time when the final stone, the top stone, would be put in place and the people would rejoice with the words "Grace, grace to it!"  There would be an acknowledgement that grace was given from another for this to happen.

v.8-10 - Also the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it.  Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.  For who has despised the day of small things?  But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel--these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth."

Zechariah is told that Zerubbabel will finish this temple.  This temple will be smaller than Solomon's temple that was destroyed but God is still pleased with it.  God is pleased to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.  Zerubbabel is obeying the instruction of the Lord and going about the work that is before him.  The seven lights are thankful that the temple, even though smaller than before, is being constructed by the people of God under the instruction of Zerubbabel.

v.11,12 - Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?"  And I answered the second time and said to him, "What are the two olive branches which are beside the two golden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?"

Zechariah wants to know what the two olive trees represent.  He asks it two more times, so a total of three if we go back to verse four.  You get a better picture that from each olive tree is a branch that is supplying the oil from the tree into the bowl to feed down the spouts into the seven lamps to keep them going.  The lights are thankful for the temple being built which would be a physical representation of the worship of God, His light shining out to the world, but what are the trees?  Inquiring minds what to know.

v.13, 14 - So he answered me, saying, "Do you not know what these are?"  And I said, "No, my lord,"  Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth."

The last vision was about Joshua, the High Priest and this vision is about Zerubbabel, the descendant of David.  The effort of these two men, anointed by God, are pouring their lives into this effort.  Joshua the spiritual and Zerubbabel the strength are combined to bring about a revival in the people of Israel back to God.  God anoints those who keep our hearts focused on Him, the Joshua figure, and God anoints those who keep our hands serving for Him, the Zerubbabel figure.  

The gates of Hell will not prevail against God's church.  It will be accomplished even though at times it might not look like it once did.  God has anointed those who are standing with Him to pour their lives into making the light of God known in its fullness, its "seven-ness."  Some focus on stirring our hearts and some focus on stretching our hands but both are used by God to accomplish His glory.  Let us pray.

"Lord, what a great vision given to Zechariah.  We see the church that is being constructed under Your provision.  There are mountains that come against it but Your servants through Your power and might bring those mountains down.  You provide anointed ones who help us to keep our hearts and hands focused on You.  Amen."

Pastor Adam