Zechariah 4

Zechariah 4:1

AGain] The fourth time admonished me to be hold another vision of God: It is likely that there was some space of time between these visions, during which time, the Prophet in his extasie was as it were asleep, that is to say, without any light of prophetick revelation, without any action, or motion of the Spirit to him.

awaked me] That is, rowsed up my weary and distracted thoughts, to fresh and further attention.

Zechariah 4:2

a candlestick all of gold] It seems he would shew the mysticall meaning of Moses his candlestick, Exodus 25:31. to the description of the making whereof, here are some parts added, belonging to the mysterie. The candlestick is the Church: The bowl above it is Christ, who hath received of the Father the fulnesse of the Spirit, signified by the oyle, to powre it upon his Church, John 1:16. & John 3:34. Acts 2:33. And as the oyle is pressed out of the olive, which is, as it were, the lively spring of it: so all these gifts and graces proceed from that, that Christ hath been anointed, and consecrated for an everlasting King and Priest. The seven lamps are the severall operations of the Spirit in the faithfull, all in fervencie of life and motion, and in light of faith and understanding: whose chiefe use is, to carry the lamp of Gods word in the world, and to cause his glory to shine therein, Matth. 5. 15, 16. Phil. 2. 15. The seven pipes are the severall means of the communication of the spirituall, and mysticall power of Christ, to his members, Ephesians 4:16.

with a bowl] Heb. with her bowl.

seven pipes to the seven lamps] Heb. seven and seven. Or, seven severall pipes to the lamps, &c. Or, each lamp had seven pipes. Which you must imagine to be in the bottome of the bowl, to distribute the oyle to each lamp.

Zechariah 4:5

Knowest thou not what these be] This is spoken to enflame the Prophets desire to know the truth of it, and to shew him that this was the meaning of Moses his ancient candlestick, of which he might by inspiration have learned the signification.

Zechariah 4:6

This is the word of the LORD] This vision is especially directed to Zerubbabel, to strengthen him in his charge of Politique head of the people: as the other was for Joshua, the Ecclesiasticall head.

Not by might] Or, army. I have caused thee to see in this figure, that the subsistence of my Church is not in the same kind as that of worldly Empires, in force of armes and power, but in a lively internall action of my Spirit: Wherefore be not dismayed in thy mind, O Zerubbabel, if worldly strength do faile thee, my Spirit and power shall supply all: as well for the reestablishing of the materiall Temple, as for the spirituall conduct and preservation of the Church. See Hosea 1:7.

Zechariah 4:7

Who art thou] The Empires which oppresse the Church, though they be great, yet shall they be beaten down by the stone, Daniel 23:4. which is Christ, figured by Zerubbabel. See Chap. 14. 10.

he shall bring forth] It shall be shown to the world at the appointed time, and exated above all worldly greatnesse, Daniel 2:35.

the head-stone] Or corner-stone or front-stone. See Psalms 118:22. Ephesians 2:20.

with shoutings] The Angels, the faithfull and all creatures shall rejoyce at Christs Kingdome, established in the world, and shall desire God the Father to heap all manner of blessings and happinesse upon it. See Psal. 11. 26. Or they shall acknowledge, and preach that the ather hath lad up in him all the treasures of his grace, and gifts of his Spirit, John 1:16.

Zechariah 4:9

laid the foundation of this house] Ezra 3:10.

finish it] Ezra 6:15.

know that the LORD] Seeing that the Lord, vers. 8. is he that saith that the Lord had sent him; we must of necessitie conclude that there are here two persons; the one the Sonne, who is sent; and the other the Father, that sendeth him; both one onely and everlasting God, Isaiah 48:16. Zechariah 2:8. See the like speech, Genesis 19:24.

sent me unto you] Chap. 2. 11.

Zechariah 4:10

For who hath despised small things] A reproof of many Jews profane contempt, in those weak beginnings of the Churches restauration.

for they shall rejoyce] Or, sith the seven eyes of the LORD shall rejoyce. Notwithstanding all their disdain and diffidence, they shall one day have occasion to rejoyce, seeing the work perfected.

plummet in the hand] Heb. stone of tinne. He seems to mean the little line, with a plummet to it, which wall-builders do use to level their work with.

thse seven] Of which, Chap. 3. 9. and 5. 6. The meaning is, my providence shall as soveraign architect oversee this worke, whose director Zerubbabel is, to blesse it, direct it, and accomplish it.

they are the eyes] Chap. 3. 9. 2 Chronicles 16:9.

Zechariah 4:12

I answered again] It seems that in this vision, when the mysterie of the constitution of the Church by the Messias was shewn to the Prophet; he saw two great olive trees, vers. 3. but when God called him back to that which belonged to the reedifying of the materiall Temple by Zerubbabel, the resemblance of these two trees was suddenly changed into the resemblance of two small branches: to signifie Zerubbabel, and Joshua, figures of Christ in his Kingdome and Priesthood: Wherefore likewise it is no more said, that they give oyle into the great bowl, but onely to the lamps, by two little spouts: to shew the difference that there is between Christ, the Authour, possessour, and distributer of the fulnesse of the goods of the Spirit, in inward efficacie; and his Ministers, as well in the Ecclesiasticall as Politick order (which are the two spouts) who have but a small measure of gifts; nor any propertie or power to administer by vertue of those two foresaid orders, any thing but the externall means of the influence of Christs mysticall, universall, and effectuall guidance of his Church.

through] Heb. by the hand.

emptie] Or, emptie out of themselves oyl into the gold.

the golden oyl] Heb. the gold. Namely, the pure yellow oyl, which did shine like gold.

Zechariah 4:14

These are the] He doth not answer concerning the question of the olive trees, but onely concerning the olive branches; for by understanding of these it is an easie matter to comprehend the meaning of the olive trees, by comparison, and proportion.

two anointed ones] Heb. sonnes of oyl. Namely, Zerubbabel and Joshua, two sacred persons, by reason of the holy unction, to be Gods Ministers, and figures of Christ.

by the Lord] Or, before, as Chap. 6. 5.