August 18, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Zechariah? Here’s today’s reading:
Zechariah 4 (NIV)
The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees
1 Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. 2 He asked me, “What do you see?”
I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. 3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”…..Continue Reading
Zechariah 4. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
Zech’h sees some strange images, weird candle holders with unusual fittings. Olive trees, olive branches, which are two anointed witnesses. Seems apparent they have deep meaning, but I am not sure how to process it. There are two witnesses, Rev. 13. Elijah and Moses at the Mount of transfiguration. One can speculate for ages!
Verse 23 says the two olive branches pour out golden oil through two golden pipes, a mysterious vision. What comes out of the mouth, comes out of the heart, says Jesus. What thing more precious than golden oil should pour from the mouth of these witnesses of God? What golden ointment ought to flow from my lips? Just pondering all this, gordy
In this chapter Zechariah sees a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which were upon the top thereof; And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. The answer by the angel is kind of present and some for the end times. Zerubbabel will build the temple and finish it. This is during the present time that they are in. The seven in the Bible refers to God. So with that in mind the seven lamps with seven pipes would be God for in verse 10 it says that they are the eyes of God which run to and fro through the whole earth. The two olive trees in their present could be Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel as representing what is to come in the end times. For we know in scripture that the two olive trees are the two witnesses in the end times. They are called the two olive trees in Revelation 11;3,4. Also in Revelation they are called two candlesticks. In Zechariah 4;14 it says. [ Then said he , These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.] These two witnesses by God`s power will prophesy for a thousand two hundred and threescore days and they will have ability to send forth fire from their mouth if someone tried to hurt them. They will have power to shut up heaven that it rain not during the days that they preach. Also have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will. Then as God`s time is perfect the beast will kill them. After three and a half days they will be raised up and go to heaven. My personal belief is that these two witnesses are Moses and Elijah for the things they did before. But also these two were present during the transfiguration of Christ as witnessed by three disciples. God can do anything and does raising them from the dead after three and a half days. The time span of their preaching is for three and a half years. In other words half way through the tribulation which would be seven years. God bless all who look for His coming.
Zechariah 4
Does the angel of the Lord expect Zechariah to know the meaning of the visions?
There is some expectation that Zechariah would understand, but considering the questions he asks and the angels willingness to answer, it is ok that he doesn’t.
Love the picture of the two olive trees representing the royal (Zerubbable) and priestly (Joshua) offices of leadership to do the work of God in the Spirit. They will build the temple and work on the spirituality of the people.
Waiting for the return of Jesus who is and will return as King and Priest. Maranatha!
Two clear and powerful principles come from this chapter even if the elements of the vision are a bit obscure. The lamp stand, the bowl and the lights that come from it all represent God’s presence and His revelation to at least the Jews if not the world. The Olive trees are 2 who will represent God on the earth. But the first clear principle that flows from it is God’s work is accomplished through HIs Spirit and not by might or power. See it is the efforts of God that matter ultimately, and any human effort is ultimately useless unless it is empowered by His Spirit. That is as true for us as it is for Zerubbabel. It applies first to him in all his efforts to lead the people and coordinate the efforts to rebuild the temple, but it is also a banner that waves over God’s work on the earth. How important it is for us to grow in our understanding and involvement with the Spirit of God, to make sure we are being filled with His Spirit as opposed to quenching or grieving Him.
The other clear principle in the chapter though is who despises the day of small things? When Zerubbabel first started the temple it didn’t seem like much…like anything we would seek to accomplish. But unless those first steps are taken, the work will never be completed. That is why we can never get discouraged at the start of something and need to keep moving forward and pressing on, continuing to put the pieces in place, so what began small becomes great!
I’m so glad I read the comments before reading this chapter as I got a little lost. I kept referring back to the comments and like pastor says start a project keep moving on
When we read this:
“That the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.
10 For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the Lord,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”
I couldn’t help but think of Revelation 5:6:
“And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
I appreciate all the comments in helping make sense of the imagery that Zechariah was seeing in this chapter but the importance of the Holy Spirit was what I took away from this chapter. That all our human efforts are nothing if we are not operating in the Holy Spirit. Not by might or by power, meaning no matter how hard we try it is God who accomplishes all thing either with us or in spite of us.
Agree. Great commentary. Thanks all.
Zechariah 4