The Spirit's Empowering Vision: Rebuilding With Purpose
Notes
Transcript
This next vision that Zechariah receives would have encouraged the two leaders of the Jewish remnant who returned to the land. It is a vision that reminds Zerubbabel and Joshua of God’s resources, and it would have vindicated these leaders in the eyes of the Israelites.
As the previous vision in chapter 3 would encourage Joshua, so this vision would bring Zerubbabel to the forefront to encourage him in his role.
1. A Vision of Divine Provision, vs. 1-3.
1. A Vision of Divine Provision, vs. 1-3.
1— this night of visions apparently was beginning to take a toll on Zechariah. The return of the interpreting angel and his subsequent action to rouse Zechariah to receive the vision does not mean that he was asleep, but that he lapsed into a normal consciousness out of the supernatural enlightenment he was in to receive these visions.
2-3— the angel questions Zechariah: “What do you see?” He responds by describing his vision of a lampstand (the Hebrew word is menorah). Symbolically, the lampstand represents the support of whatever bears light. Matt. 5:16
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Look at Rev. 1:20
“As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Let’s compare this figure to that in 1 Tim 3:15
but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
What is the purpose of the church? To bear, or hold up the Light. What Light? John 1:8-9
He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
The True Light, the Lord Jesus Christ. then back to 1 Tim 3:16, referencing the truth, the Word of God.
Some commentators have compared this lampstand to the lampstand in the Tabernacle, but this one is unique. First, it has a bowl on the top of it which is where the oil is placed.
Second, it has seven bowls with seven pipes, our spouts, each— each pipe/spout is where a wick is placed with one end in the lamp where it draws the oil up.
So we are speaking of a lampstand with its supply of oil on top, above the lamps, which supply the seven lamps with seven wicks each for a total of 49 lights—a very bright lamp, especially with the reflective qualities of the material it is made of, namely gold. Bright and shiny is the lampstand that Zechariah views. Here is one artist’s rendition of a lampstand with seven bowls.
There is no need for lamps to be removed to replenish the oil or to trim the wicks. The third distinction of this vision is that the lampstand has next to it two olive trees — one on the left side and one on the right— which provide the lamps with olive oil, without human help.
In the present vision, the whole lampstand represents the temple and the Jewish community which were to hold the light of Israel’s testimony for the LORD up before the rest of the world. The two olive trees signify the LORD’s abundant provision of the oil for the light.
Oil, throughout the Scripture, is seen as a type of the Holy Spirit. Think about what oil is used for:
Oil lubricates, smoothing surfaces and abolishing wear of metal. The Holy Spirit gives smoothness, abolishing wear in every service for God.
Oil heals and was applied to wounds in Zechariah’s time. No one but the Holy Spirit can heal the heart wounded by life’s cares, sorrows, or unpleasantness.
Oil lights. The Holy Spirit illuminates the Scriptures and the pathway of the believer.
Oil warms. Our cold hearts are unresponsive and impregnable except the warming, glowing, pulsating power of the Spirit of God penetrates and diffuses genial and welcome warmth.
Oil invigorates. The disciples and apostles in the book of Acts gave witness with power because they were Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, and Spirit-possessed. The energizing ministry of the Spirit cares for all the power any believer will ever need.
Oil adorns. The life lived under the control of the Spirit of God is radiant with the joy of the Lord, fragrant with the perfume of His presence.
This leads us to ...
2. The Spirit over Strength, vs. 4-7.
2. The Spirit over Strength, vs. 4-7.
4-5— Zechariah asks a question in which the interpreting angel responds is if he is surprised that Zechariah does not know what these are (the vision).
When Zechariah states that he does not know, then the angel responds...
6— The vision is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel. This oracles is a reminder to Zerubbabel that the work is dependent upon God and His provision rather than any human agent or instrumentality. The only true source of power for God’s work then and now is the Spirit of God. Zerubbabel as the civil leader and governor is endowed with God’s power to do God’s work.
7— as for the obstacles and difficulties that stand in the way of Zerubbabel, the LORD proclaims that they will be removed before him. Zerubbabel himself will place the top stone (cap stone or finishing stone), signifying the completion of the temple, while the people are calling upon God’s grace and favor to rest on the completed structure
This is the encouragement of the hope-inspired promise of Zerubbabel’s successful completion of God’s house. It is done in the power of the Spirit through His people.
3. Small Steps, Great Impact, vs. 8-10.
3. Small Steps, Great Impact, vs. 8-10.
8-9 — This second oracle comes from the LORD to Zerubbabel.
The LORD affirms the sure fulfillment of Zerubbabel’s role in the rebuilding of the temple by declaring that just as Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the temple, he will finish the work.
The last part of verse 9 is pointing beyond Zerubbabel to point to the sending of the Messiah, who will begin and complete the Millennial temple. It serves as a type and pledge of the sure fulfillment of that which was set forth by the vision.
Even though the work was seen by some as insignificant, as seen in Haggai 2:3 and Ezra 3:12
‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?
Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy,
10— God wants to make it clear that His pleasure is upon the work of Zerubbabel. His omniscience, even as He sees all the activities of earth, is directed to the consummation of the building.
4. Channels of Continuous Light, vs. 11-14.
4. Channels of Continuous Light, vs. 11-14.
11 — Zerubbabel asks what the two olive trees are on either side of the lampstand, and then, before he obtains an answer asks a second question about the two olive branches. They are described as being beside two golden pipes. This is the first they are mentioned, and they are said to empty the golden oil from themselves, not needing any assistance from men.
The two olive trees are the priestly and kingly offices in Israel; the two olive branches are those men who currently fulfill those responsibilities, Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel, the governor of the area of Judah. In a position of responsibility before the Lord of all the earth, they are a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who is both King and Priest. Look at Zech. 6:13
“Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.” ’
Let’s look back at this text and see the following features of this vision:
(1) the insufficiency and inadequacy of all human strength and resources;
(2) the all-sufficiency of the power of the Spirit of God for the accomplishment of the work of God;
(3) the unceasing, abundant, and inexhaustible supply of this power at his, Zerubbabel’s, disposal;
(4) the assurance of the obliteration of all hindrances to the building;
(5) the heartening hope of the completion of the work by the one commencing it;
(6) the importance of the entire work of building as a prefiguring of the activity of the Messiah in a coming day;
(7) the delight of God in the construction of the temple;
(8) the positions of privilege of both Joshua and Zerubbabel as the media whereby the testimony of God is transmitted to the people; and
(9) the typifying of the ministry of the Messiah in both the religious and civil offices.
Feinberg, C. L. (1941). Exegetical Studies in Zechariah. Bibliotheca Sacra, 98, 457–458.
The LORD can use the least likely people for His glory. His Spirit can conquer incredible obstacles and turn mountains into plains; He can also make great things out of small beginnings. As we give ourselves to Him, His Spirit can do what we in our own strength could never do.