Zechariah 4:1-14

Zechariah 4:1-14

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 there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”

4 And 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?” 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.

“These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.”

11 Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”

12 And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which 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.”

PRAY

"The Power of God's Spirit: A Message from Zechariah 4:1-14"

Introduction:

Here in the book of Zechariah, chapter 4, the prophet provides a powerful vision that speaks directly to us. The passage reveals insights into the role of God's Spirit in empowering and guiding His people.

In Zechariah 4:1-14, I pray we are attentive to the lessons of transformation in this Scripture.

I. The Source of True Strength (Zechariah 4:6)

Point 1: Relying on God's Spirit

The vision of the golden lampstand and the two olive trees is a vivid portrayal of the divine empowerment available to God's people.

A lampstand of solid gold: God gave Zechariah a vision of the golden lampstand that was meant to stand in the temple. Since Zechariah and his people were there to rebuild the temple, it made sense that God spoke to them in images related to the temple.

c. Seven pipes to the seven lamps…. Two olive trees: In addition to the lampstand, Zechariah saw something that was never in the temple – two olive trees that supplied the seven lamps with oil through seven pipes.

i. One of the more tedious duties of the temple service was the constant care of the lamps on the golden lampstand.

They had to be continually refilled with oil, cleaned of soot, and their wicks had to be maintained. In this vision, Zechariah sees “self-filling” lamps, fed directly from two olive trees.

ii. In the temple, the lamps were fueled by pure, specially prepared olive oil. The lampstand Zechariah saw in his vision was fed straight from the trees.

So, what does this mean?

In verse 6, Zechariah hears the Lord declaring, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."

The work on the temple had stalled, and Zerubbabel needed encouragement to carry on the work.

Might focuses on collective strength, the resources of a group or army. Power focuses on individual strength. God says, “not by the resources of many or one, but by My Spirit. It will not be by your cleverness, your ability, or your physical strength that the temple will be rebuilt, but by the Spirit of God.”

Looking back to the vision earlier in the chapter, we see that God wanted Zerubbabel to know that the Holy Spirit would continually supply his need, just as the oil trees in the vision continually supplied oil to the lamps on the lampstand.

God wants His supply and our reliance on the Holy Spirit to be continual.

As believers, we are called to recognize that our strength and success are not rooted in our own abilities or strategies but in wholehearted dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Illustration:

Imagine a lampstand trying to illuminate a room without a power source.

It would remain in darkness. Similarly, our lives lack true radiance without the empowering presence of God's Spirit.

Just as the olive trees continuously provide oil to the lampstand, God's Spirit supplies the divine energy we need to navigate life's challenges.

II. Overcoming Obstacles through God's Spirit (Zechariah 4:7)

Point 2: Removing Mountains of Hindrance

In verses 7-10, Zechariah sees a mountain before Zerubbabel, the governor. The Lord assures Zerubbabel that the mountain will become a plain, symbolizing the supernatural intervention of God's Spirit in overcoming obstacles.

Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain: The work of rebuilding the temple was so massive it seemed like a great mountain.

Here God promised that by His Spirit, that great mountain would be leveled into a plain.

In this case, the great mountain may have literally been the mountainous pile of rubble at the temple site. That rubble would be removed, and the work carried on.

“You all get up plans and say, ‘Now, if the church were altered a little bit, it would go on better.’ You think if there were different ministers, or different church order, or something different, then all would be well. No, dear friends, it is not there the mistake lies, it is that we want more of the Spirit.” (Spurgeon)

This imagery emphasizes that no challenge is insurmountable when we trust in the empowering Spirit of God.

Illustration:

Consider the mountains in your life—difficulties, doubts, or uncertainties.

Through our own efforts, these mountains may seem impossible to move.

However, God's Spirit is the divine bulldozer that levels these obstacles, making a way for His purposes to be fulfilled.

Our faith in the Spirit's power transforms mountains into plains.

III. Perseverance in Building God's Temple (Zechariah 4:9-10)

Point 3: The Completion of God's Work

Zerubbabel is instructed to "finish the temple," signifying the importance of perseverance in fulfilling God's calling.

It was a long day of small things for Zerubbabel because the work of the temple lay in ruins for almost 20 years. He might have said to God, “What do You mean ‘day of small things?’ I’ve lived with 20 years of small things.” Even so, God told Zerubbabel to not despise the time of small things, and to consider it is all as just a day.

In many of God’s choice workers He uses a powerful season of small things. Those days are not a mistake nor are they punishment; they are days of priceless shaping and preparation. They are not days to despise.

Spurgeon spoke of the need for courage in the day of small things in our churches: “To me, it seems that it should be your glory to join the poorest and weakest churches of your denomination, and wherever you go, to say, ‘This little cause is not as strong as I should like it to be; but, by the grace of God, I will make it more influential. At any rate, I will throw in my weight to strengthen the weak things of Zion, and certainly I will not despise the day of small things.’ Where would have been our flourishing churches of today if our forefathers had disdained to sustain them while they were yet in their infancy?”

“God accepts your little works if they are done in faith in his dear Son. God will give success to your little works: God will educate you by your little works to do greater works; and your little works may call out others who shall do greater works by far than ever you shall be able to accomplish.” (Spurgeon)

The seemingly insignificant beginnings will culminate in a grand completion through the Spirit's guidance.

Just as Zerubbabel laid the foundation and completed the temple, we are called to remain steadfast in building God's spiritual temple within us and in our communities.

Illustration:

Think of a skilled artisan crafting a masterpiece. It requires dedication, precision, and time.

The same is true for us, as co-laborers with God, we are engaged in building His temple.

The Spirit enables us to endure challenges, setbacks, and opposition, ensuring that the work we undertake for God's glory will reach its glorious completion.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Zechariah 4:1-14 unveils the profound truth that God's Spirit is the source of our strength, the key to overcoming obstacles, and the driving force behind the completion of God's work.

As believers, I pray we trust the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, relying on His guidance, overcoming challenges, and persevering in the divine tasks set before us.

May we be a people who shine brightly, fueled by the Spirit's power, for the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

PRAY

INVITATION