God Empowers His People

A study on Zechariah

God Empowers His People

Message 5

Zechariah 4

Theme: God shows us that He must empower us to accomplish His will.

Introduction: Let’s review a bit: We learned that there are two prophets who are preaching to the returned remnant of Jews to Jerusalem who had been captive in Babylon. God told them to build the temple of God in order to restore their spiritual heritage. The short ministry of Haggai reminded them to stop neglecting the house of God while they were enjoying their personal homes. Zechariah has been in series of visions in which God is revealing His will for the remnant to not quit on rebuilding the temple.

While the glamor of the temple is in the past, the importance of obeying God’s will in rebuilding the house is equally important. The resources for this second temple were limited, unlike Solomon’s temple. However, when God calls us to accomplish a project, He assures us of His power to be given to us.

Here God gives us a promise and understanding that your calling upon your life comes with God’s power as well.

There are three views of this God sent power in this passage.

I. The setting for the power vv. 1-3

A. The exhausted prophet

1. The prophet had seen four wonderful visions and he was totally exhausted.

2. He had fallen asleep and the angel awakens him to God’s truth in his life.

3. There are times in our lives when we are awakened to God’s truth and a call for our response.

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:11–12)

God is stirring the prophet’s spiritual insight into the bigger picture of what God’s will is for the remnant.

B. The interpreting angel

1. God sent an interpreting angel because man does not have the spiritual insight into events and circumstances without God’s illumination.

2. You cannot comprehend the will of God without God the Holy Spirit enlightening your understanding.

3. This is where the power of God comes into our life to understand God’s will for us.

4. It is strange, though God tells us here of the empowerment of God, to often we ignore it.

C. The golden candlestick

1. This candlestick is the word for menorahwhich has seven branches reminding us of the seven days of creation.

2. The God who created the sun, moon, and stars empowers His creation to do His bidding.

3. The candlestick is placed on the south side of the first portion of the tabernacle which sat opposite the showbread. It was lit every evening and every morning.

4. This candlestick represents also the nation of Israel as a light unto the nations.

5. This menorah was different in that attached to the branches were pipes connecting to the large upper bowl to the individual lamps. There would be a total of 49 pipes which gives a light.

6. This bowl at the top into which the olive oil dripped from two olive trees.

D. The two olive trees

1. The olive trees represented Joshua and Zerubbabel.

2. These leaders made sure the oil would have an ample supply for the menorah-actually is a continuous light to world.

3. No priest had to keep lighting the menorah because oil kept coming from the olive trees.

4. The light was burning very low when the remnant returned to the land to rebuild the temple and Zerubbabel wasn’t sure there was enough power to keep the work going.

5. The church is a light to the world also and we must bear the light.

II. The source of the power vv. 5-7

A. The authority of God

1. God is the power and authority behind His work.

2. Just as He has commanded and called the remnant to rebuild the temple, He is reminding them they are not to build it with human effort.

3. It is entirely possible to build a home, or a church, or a school without God’s power; however, it will not last nor accomplish God’s will. Without God, we will be on sinking sand.

4. We must have God on our side, giving us His direction, His power, His wisdom, and His strength.

5. The prophet needed God’s instruction on what the vision meant and we also need God’s instruction on how we serve Him, lead our family, and live Godly-this comes from spending time with Him.

B. Through the Spirit of God

1. Verse 6 targets the total source of power.

2. The word might refers to military might what people can do together, but the remnant had no army.

3. Power refers to the strength of the individual, but Zerubbabel’s strength was no doubt wanting.

4. The Spirit of God enables us to do what an army could never do-

“According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.” (Haggai 2:5)

5. The headstone is the final stone of the building.

6. If success is tobe gained in the achievements of God’s people it will be secured by what man can do but by the Spirit’s work.

“Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.” (Isaiah 31:1–3)

III. The completion by His power vv. 8-10

A. By the grace of God vv. 7b-8

1. The restoration did not need an army of workers, as Solomon’s temple did nor unusually strong laborers.

2. The strength of the workers failed because of the strenuous work Neh. 4:10

3. The work would only succeed because of the supernatural grace that the Lord provided through His Spirit.

B. By the plan of God v. 10

1. The work of God always begins small and we are not to despise small things.

2. Americans are impressed with big and brassy things. We like our Christian work to be a success story which we measure by the size of the building and the crowds that attend.

3. God does not work in our size but in His power.

4. There are no “small places” or “small ministries” and there are no big preachers. But we do have a great God who empowers and blesses dedicated servants.

C. Through the servants of God v. 11

1. The sons are sons who have the power of God upon them.

2. They were anointed by the Lord for special service.

3. Oil is a general symbol for the Holy Spirit and the holy anointing is a work of God in our lives.

Conclusion: Today, you may be facing some significant challenges in your life and you are looking to humans rather than look unto God. He can empower you to lead your family, to lead in your job, and encourage others in the process. Will you go to Him rather than anyone else?