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#1 We should begin our study of Zechariah by specifying the approaches that will enable us to interpret this book of Scripture rightly. First, we will approach Zechariah historically. We should always be historical in our study of Scripture, since the books of the Bible were given by God through actual men in the context of real circumstances and settings. As a result, our study of Zechariah will increase our knowledge of Old Testament history. We will become familiar with important figures unknown to many Christians: Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah; Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel of the house of David and ancestor to our Lord Jesus; the high priest Joshua, of the line of Zadok; as well as Zechariah and his prophetic colleague Haggai.
#1 We should begin our study of Zechariah by specifying the approaches that will enable us to interpret this book of Scripture rightly. First, we will approach Zechariah historically. We should always be historical in our study of Scripture, since the books of the Bible were given by God through actual men in the context of real circumstances and settings. As a result, our study of Zechariah will increase our knowledge of Old Testament history. We will become familiar with important figures unknown to many Christians: Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah; Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel of the house of David and ancestor to our Lord Jesus; the high priest Joshua, of the line of Zadok; as well as Zechariah and his prophetic colleague Haggai.
#2 While this and every book of Scripture comes to us out of a historical setting, it also is part of the whole Bible given by God for our instruction in salvation. The book of Zechariah has a great many truths to set before us, doctrines of our faith that were at a particular stage of development in the progress of God’s redemptive work. We want to take stock of its teaching both in light of how it was then presented and how the various subjects would ultimately be rounded out in the completed canon of Scripture.
#2 While this and every book of Scripture comes to us out of a historical setting, it also is part of the whole Bible given by God for our instruction in salvation. The book of Zechariah has a great many truths to set before us, doctrines of our faith that were at a particular stage of development in the progress of God’s redemptive work. We want to take stock of its teaching both in light of how it was then presented and how the various subjects would ultimately be rounded out in the completed canon of Scripture.
#3 we will approach this book from a practical perspective, applying its message to our own setting and lives so as to derive its full benefit. Though we are separated by time and circumstances from the prophet and his generation, the issues of faith and godliness have not ultimately changed. Everything God revealed in this book for individuals and for Israel as a whole finds a contemporary application for Christians and the church.
#3 we will approach this book from a practical perspective, applying its message to our own setting and lives so as to derive its full benefit. Though we are separated by time and circumstances from the prophet and his generation, the issues of faith and godliness have not ultimately changed. Everything God revealed in this book for individuals and for Israel as a whole finds a contemporary application for Christians and the church.
Message of the prophet to Returned Israelites
Message of the prophet to Returned Israelites
Two olive trees — what do they represent?
Two olive trees — what do they represent?
There are two ways, at least, in which we can see this in operation in the situation described by the vision. First, there are the two leaders represented by the two olive trees to the right and left of the lampstand. Zechariah is told that These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth (14). Given all that has gone before, they must be Joshua and Zerubbabel. They are literally ‘sons of oil’. As servants of God they are accountable to him and draw their own authority and strength from him. But as ‘olive trees’ in this vision, they are also the source of the oil that fuels the lamp. That is, they are one very important means by which God nourishes and strengthens the community. There is no explicit use of the language of ‘anointing’ here (despite the NIV translation),152 but the conjunction of designated leaders, oil and the Spirit, makes an allusion to it transparent; and anointing—as we know from elsewhere in the Old Testament—has to do with two things: appointment and empowerment
There are two ways, at least, in which we can see this in operation in the situation described by the vision. First, there are the two leaders represented by the two olive trees to the right and left of the lampstand. Zechariah is told that These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth (14). Given all that has gone before, they must be Joshua and Zerubbabel. They are literally ‘sons of oil’. As servants of God they are accountable to him and draw their own authority and strength from him. But as ‘olive trees’ in this vision, they are also the source of the oil that fuels the lamp. That is, they are one very important means by which God nourishes and strengthens the community. There is no explicit use of the language of ‘anointing’ here (despite the NIV translation),152 but the conjunction of designated leaders, oil and the Spirit, makes an allusion to it transparent; and anointing—as we know from elsewhere in the Old Testament—has to do with two things: appointment and empowerment
Zechariah 4 was a word of encouragement to its original hearers to keep on going with the difficult and (apparently) futile work of temple-building, - people were discouraged and disappointed by new temple being built compared to the first temple (Haggai 2: 3-4) with the reminder it will indeed happen—not by might, nor by power, but by God’s Spirit. It is God’s work, but not his alone. God’s people have a pivotal role to play. The construction wasn’t solely in Zerubbabel’s hands either—Zechariah 8:9 says to the whole community: ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built’.
Zechariah 4 was a word of encouragement to its original hearers to keep on going with the difficult and (apparently) futile work of temple-building, - people were discouraged and disappointed by new temple being built compared to the first temple (Haggai 2: 3-4) with the reminder it will indeed happen—not by might, nor by power, but by God’s Spirit. It is God’s work, but not his alone. God’s people have a pivotal role to play. The construction wasn’t solely in Zerubbabel’s hands either—Zechariah 8:9 says to the whole community: ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built’.
Zechariah 4 is a challenge to us to persevere with the hard work of temple-building (that is, building up Christ’s church by sharing the gospel). Zerubabbel and Joshua are given the high honour of being the two sons of oil who serve the Lord by building up the temple. Zechariah 4 calls on us, likewise, to be the servants of the Lord who build his temple, and not to be discouraged by the (apparent) ‘day of small things’.
Zechariah 4 is a challenge to us to persevere with the hard work of temple-building (that is, building up Christ’s church by sharing the gospel). Zerubabbel and Joshua are given the high honour of being the two sons of oil who serve the Lord by building up the temple. Zechariah 4 calls on us, likewise, to be the servants of the Lord who build his temple, and not to be discouraged by the (apparent) ‘day of small things’.
We need to remember that the ‘day of small things’ is so often how God works. God’s way is ‘not by might, nor by power’. God’s way looks weak and pathetic. Like Zerubbabel, like Good Friday, like much Christian ministry. We want ‘might and power’; we want to see churches overflowing. But we must not long so much for the flood of people coming to Christ that we despise the trickle of ones and twos. Zechariah 4 reminds us that temple-building—gospel ministry—is the day of small things. Slow, often unrewarding, outwardly unimpressive, facing opposition and setback.
We need to remember that the ‘day of small things’ is so often how God works. God’s way is ‘not by might, nor by power’. God’s way looks weak and pathetic. Like Zerubbabel, like Good Friday, like much Christian ministry. We want ‘might and power’; we want to see churches overflowing. But we must not long so much for the flood of people coming to Christ that we despise the trickle of ones and twos. Zechariah 4 reminds us that temple-building—gospel ministry—is the day of small things. Slow, often unrewarding, outwardly unimpressive, facing opposition and setback.
While we must be careful not to overvalue our own importance to God’s plans, we must be equally careful that we don’t undervalue it either. Joshua and Zerubbabel were two human agents used by the Lord at a point in history to accomplish his plans and purposes. Zechariah 4 calls on us, likewise, to ‘serve the LORD of all the earth’, not giving up in discouragement but pressing ahead in hope, and looking to the day of rejoicing at the final completion. To do this, we must commit ourselves to the building of God’s house with all our labour and with all God’s energy, knowing that it is ‘not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit’ says the Lord!
While we must be careful not to overvalue our own importance to God’s plans, we must be equally careful that we don’t undervalue it either. Joshua and Zerubbabel were two human agents used by the Lord at a point in history to accomplish his plans and purposes. Zechariah 4 calls on us, likewise, to ‘serve the LORD of all the earth’, not giving up in discouragement but pressing ahead in hope, and looking to the day of rejoicing at the final completion. To do this, we must commit ourselves to the building of God’s house with all our labour and with all God’s energy, knowing that it is ‘not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit’ says the Lord!
