Zechariah 4

Zechariah 4:1

E. The Golden Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees (Chap. 4)Meaning: Israel, God’s lightbearer, will rebuild the temple by the Spirit of God (pictured by the oil). 4:1-6 The fifth vision describes a lampstand of solid gold with two olive trees beside it. It seems that the golden lampstand had a base with a stem coming up out of it. At the top of the stem was a bowl which served as a reservoir for oil. Reaching upward out of the stem were seven pipes with seven small oil-burning lamps on top of each. On either side of the golden lampstand was an olive tree, apparently supplying oil directly to the bowl of the golden stand, and then through the pipes from the bowl to the seven lamps. The golden lampstand may possibly be a picture of Israel as God’s witness in the world. It can only fulfill its function as a light to the world by the oil, i.e., by the Holy Spirit. The immediate interpretation of the vision is that the temple would be rebuilt, not by human energy or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. Difficulties would be removed, and the hands of Zerubbabel would finish the rebuilding of the temple, just as they had laid the foundation. Unger comments: The spiritual principle here stated (v. 6) is beautifully illustrated by the imagery of the vision in which the automatic and spontaneous supply of oil for lighting totally apart from human agency prefigures Israel’s millennial testimony conducted in the fullness of the outpoured Spirit. But in its context, the promise has direct application to Zerubbabel, then faced with the colossal task of completing the temple. 4:7-10 In spite of mountainous opposition, the temple would be completed and would bring forth exclamations of “Grace, grace . . . !” to its beauty. Those who have despised the day of small things, that is, those who mocked the possibility of God’s doing some great thing, would see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel, that is, would see . . . the day when Zerubbabel would finish the structure. The seven lamps are the seven eyes of the LORD, signifying His watchful care over the rebuilding and over the whole earth. 4:11-14 When Zechariah asks about the two olive trees and the two olive branches, the angel explains that they are the two anointed ones standing by the LORD. This is commonly taken to refer to Zerubbabel and Joshua, representing the offices of king and priest. This vision teaches that spiritual power was necessary for the restoration, just as the previous vision taught that cleansing was necessary.