1 And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep.
2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it.
3 And two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.
4 Then I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.
10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
11 Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”
12 And I said to him, “What are these two olive branches that are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?”
13 He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.”
14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
The True Meaning of Zechariah 4
The book of Zechariah was written by the prophet Zechariah, a Jewish priest who lived during the time of the return from the Babylonian exile. He was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai, and together they encouraged the people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah receives a series of visions in this chapter that provide hope and encouragement to the people as they work to restore their nation. The visions reveal God’s power and His plan to bless and protect His people, even in the midst of their struggles. We will see the significance of the golden lampstand and the two olive trees, as well as the promise of God’s ultimate victory over all opposition.
Zechariah’s visions in this chapter echo themes found in other prophetic books, such as the importance of the temple and the role of the Messiah in establishing God’s kingdom. God’s unwavering commitment to His people and His ultimate plan for the redemption of all creation should remind us as we explore these visions.
Zechariah 4:1-5
Zechariah is awakened from his vision in Zechariah 4:1-5, and he sees a golden lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. An interesting point to note here is the significance of the number seven in the Bible. “Seven” often represents completeness or perfection in the Bible, and in this context, it signifies the completeness of God’s work. The lampstand is a symbol of light, often representing God’s presence, guidance, and enlightenment. The seven lamps could represent the seven spirits of God mentioned in Revelation 1:4, which can be understood as the completeness of the Holy Spirit’s work. Zechariah in this vision is witnessing symbolism that points towards God’s wisdom and power. The lampstand is not fueled by human hands but by olive oil that flows to the lamps through seven channels. The olive oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who provides the necessary light and illumination for God’s work to be accomplished. This is a beautiful representation of how God’s Spirit empowers and guides believers in their service to Him.
The mention of the two olive trees by the lampstand is significant as well. These two olive trees are identified in Zechariah 4:14 as “the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” These two anointed ones are often interpreted as representing Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest. Zerubbabel and Joshua were instrumental in leading the people of Judah during the time of the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple. They were chosen by God to carry out specific roles in the restoration of Jerusalem and the renewal of worship.
The vision of the lampstand, olive trees, and the flow of oil is a powerful image of divine empowerment and the cooperation between God’s Spirit and human agency in fulfilling God’s purposes. It emphasizes the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength in carrying out God’s work. This passage highlights the synergy between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility in the divine plan of redemption and restoration. Zechariah 4:1-5 conveys the message of God’s empowering presence through His Spirit, the importance of relying on Him for guidance and strength, and the collaboration between God and His chosen vessels in accomplishing His purposes. It serves as a reminder for believers to seek the Holy Spirit’s empowerment in their lives and ministries, knowing that it is through His guidance and strength that God’s work is accomplished in completeness.
Zechariah 4:6-10
The prophet Zechariah delivers a powerful message in Zechariah 4:6-10. Let’s break down this verse into its important sections:
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“So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.’” – This section is a direct message from the LORD to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah at that time. God is emphasizing that success and victory do not come through human might or power alone, but through His Spirit. This message challenges the prevailing belief that strength and power were the keys to overcoming obstacles or achieving goals. It’s a reminder that God’s Spirit is the ultimate source of strength and the driving force behind any successful endeavor.
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“‘What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it! Zerubbabel sees a vivid image of a seemingly insurmountable mountain being flattened in this section. This imagery signifies the obstacles and challenges that Zerubbabel faced in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Despite the difficulties, God assures Zerubbabel that he will overcome them, and the completion of the temple will be celebrated with shouts of blessings. This message serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in helping His people overcome seemingly impossible situations.
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“Then the word of the LORD came to me: ‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.’” – Here, Zechariah receives another message from the LORD confirming that Zerubbabel, with divine help, will not only lay the foundation of the temple but also complete its construction. This prophecy assures Zerubbabel that God’s hand is upon him and that his efforts will bear fruit. It reinforces the idea that God is with His people every step of the way, guiding and empowering them to fulfill His purposes.
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“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” – This section highlights the significance of even seemingly small or insignificant beginnings in God’s eyes. The completion of the temple, symbolized by the chosen capstone in Zerubbabel’s hand, is a cause for rejoicing and celebration. It emphasizes that God delights in the faithfulness and obedience of His chosen ones, even in the smallest of tasks. This verse encourages believers to trust in God’s plan and to take joy in the progress, no matter how small, towards fulfilling His purposes. Zechariah 4:6-10 conveys a message of trust in God’s power, faithfulness, and guidance. It shows that success does not come through human effort alone but through reliance on the Spirit of God. The story of Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the temple serves as a powerful example of God’s provision and faithfulness to His people. This passage encourages believers to persevere in their faith, even in the face of challenges, knowing that God is working alongside them to bring about His purposes.
Zechariah 4:11-14
The angel was asked by Zechariah, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”‘ Again I asked him, ‘What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?’ He replied, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ ‘No, my lord,’ I said. So he said, ‘These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth. The prophet in this section of Zechariah envisions a golden lampstand with two olive trees on either side. The prophet, trying to understand the significance of these symbols, questions the angel to gain insight into their meaning. The olive trees and branches represent a continuous and abundant supply of oil, symbolizing the anointing of God’s spirit and power.
The imagery of the olive trees and the oil is rich in biblical symbolism. Olive oil was used in the Bible for anointing kings and priests, symbolizing empowerment by the Holy Spirit for a specific purpose. Zerubbabel and Joshua, the leaders in the post-exilic community, were tasked with the monumental job of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, represented by the two olive trees in this context. Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, and Joshua, the high priest, were anointed by God to carry out their respective roles in the restoration of Jerusalem and the spiritual renewal of the people.
This passage highlights the importance of God’s anointing and empowerment in carrying out His work. It emphasizes that individuals chosen by God are equipped by His spirit to fulfill their roles and accomplish His purposes. The reliance on God’s spirit rather than human strength is a recurring theme in the Bible, reminding believers that true success and accomplishment come not by might or power, but by the spirit of God (Zechariah 4:6).
The message from this verse for believers today is that when God calls us to a task or ministry, He also anoints and empowers us with His Spirit to fulfill that calling. Just like Zerubbabel and Joshua, we are called to rely on God’s strength and guidance in all that we do. This passage serves as a reminder that our effectiveness in serving God’s kingdom is not dependent on our own abilities, but on the empowerment we receive from the Holy Spirit.
After Zechariah 4
The prophet Zechariah had a vision of a golden lampstand and two olive trees. The angel explained that the lampstand represented the temple, which would be rebuilt through the power of God’s Spirit. The two olive trees symbolized the leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, who would work together to complete the temple. I, as the reverend, now reflect on the significance of this vision. The temple, once destroyed, would rise again through the anointing of God’s Spirit. This was a message of hope for the people, who had endured years of hardship and exile. The two leaders, working in unity, would be the instruments through which God would bring restoration to His people.
This vision reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is at work, preparing the way for a brighter future. We can hold fast to the promise that the light of God’s presence will never be extinguished as we move forward, and that through His Spirit, we too can be empowered to rebuild what has been broken.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.