The Golden Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees
March 11, 2019
Commentary
The fifth vision of the golden candlestick and the two olive trees can be divided as follows:
The details of the vision (vv. 1-5)
Introduction (v. 1)The golden candlestick with seven lamps (v. 2)The two olive trees by the bowl (v. 3)Questions as to what is seen (vv. 4,5)The explanation of the vision (vv. 6-14) Concerning the golden candlestick (vv. 6-10)Concerning the two olive trees (vv. 11-14)Zerubbabel, the governor, was given the responsibility of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 3:2,8) while the prophets Haggai and Zechariah gave the moral and spiritual encouragement to resume work on the temple. The candlestick is the central fixture of this vision. It speaks of Christ who said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Many people think that to survive in this world a person must be tough. But God says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit“ (v.6). The key words are “by my Spirit.” It is only through God’s Spirit that anything of lasting value is accomplished. In order for Judah to fulfil her task she needed the power of the Holy Spirit.
Application
As I live for God I must determine not to trust in my own strength or abilities but instead I must depend on God and work in the power of His Spirit.
Zechariah 4:1– 14 (NET)
1 The angelic messenger who had been speaking with me then returned and woke me, as a person is wakened from sleep. 2 He asked me, “What do you see?” I replied, “I see a menorah of pure gold with a receptacle at the top. There are seven lamps at the top, with seven pipes going to the lamps. 3 There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right of the receptacle and the other on the left.” 4 Then I asked the messenger who spoke with me, “What are these, sir?” 5 He replied, “Don’t you know what these are?” So I responded, “No, sir.” 6 Therefore he told me, “This is the Lord’s message to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
7 “What are you, you great mountain? Because of Zerubbabel you will become a level plain! And he will bring forth the temple capstone with shoutings of ‘Grace! Grace!’ because of this.” 8 Moreover, the Lord’s message came to me as follows: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundations of this temple, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me to you. 10 For who dares make light of small beginnings? These seven eyes will joyfully look on the tin tablet in Zerubbabel’s hand. These are the eyes of the Lord, which constantly range across the whole earth.”
11 Next I asked the messenger, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the menorah?” 12 Before he could reply I asked again, “What are these two extensions of the olive trees, which are emptying out the golden oil through the two golden pipes?” 13 He replied, “Don’t you know what these are?” And I said, “No, sir.” 14 So he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Illustration: Boat For Sale
My friend wanted a boat more than anything. His wife kept refusing, but he bought one anyway. “I’ll tell you what,” he told her, “In the spirit of compromise, why don’t you name the boat?” Being a good sport, she accepted. When her husband went to the dock for his maiden voyage, this is the name he saw painted on the side: “For Sale.” (Source Unknown, Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).