Zechariah 4: The Power of the Spirit
And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,
And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:
And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?
Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Zechariah 4 offers a powerful vision and message of encouragement, emphasizing that God's work is accomplished not through human strength, but through the power of His Spirit. This chapter, rich in symbolism, speaks directly to Zerubbabel's challenge of rebuilding the temple and resonates with believers today who face seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
The Vision of the Lampstand (Zechariah 4:1-5)
The prophet Zechariah is presented with a striking vision: a gold lampstand with a bowl at the top, supporting seven lamps, each in turn fed by seven spouts (Zechariah 4:2). This intricate design highlights the potential for tremendous light. Flanking the lampstand are two olive trees (Zechariah 4:3). Overwhelmed, Zechariah seeks understanding, questioning the meaning of the vision (Zechariah 4:4-5). This question sets the stage for a profound revelation.
"Not by Might, Nor by Power, But by My Spirit" (Zechariah 4:6-7)
The angel's interpretation begins with a direct word from the Lord to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and a descendant of David overseeing the temple reconstruction. This message is the heart of Zechariah 4: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). The Jews, facing opposition and discouragement during the rebuilding process (see Ezra 4:1-23), needed to understand that their success would not depend on their limited resources or political influence. Rather, it would be a direct result of the Holy Spirit's supernatural empowerment. The abundant oil fueling the brilliant lampstand symbolizes the overflowing power of God's Spirit, ready to sustain and illuminate His people. The mountain of opposition will become a plain.
Divine Assurance and Completion (Zechariah 4:8-10)
Reinforcing this promise, the Lord assures Zerubbabel that just as his hands laid the foundation of the temple, his hands would also complete it (Zechariah 4:9). The angel further reveals that the "seven eyes of the Lord," which diligently scan the entire earth, will rejoice when they see the capstone in Zerubbabel's hand (Zechariah 4:10). This signifies God's watchful care and commitment to ensuring the project's success. The Lord brought the Jews back from exile for a purpose, and He would not abandon them. Zechariah's role is to confidently encourage Zerubbabel and the people to persevere in the task God has given them (see Ezra 4:24–5:2). Don't despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.
This encouragement applies directly to us. As we engage in God's kingdom work, we must remember: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit" (Zechariah 4:6). Human effort alone is insufficient. True empowerment comes only through the Spirit of God.
The Two Anointed Ones (Zechariah 4:11-14)
Zechariah presses for further understanding, inquiring about the significance of the two olive trees. The angel explains that they represent "the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth" (Zechariah 4:11, 14).
In Zechariah's time, these figures likely referred to Joshua, the high priest, and Zerubbabel, the governor. Kings and priests were traditionally anointed in the Old Testament (see Leviticus 8:10-12; 1 Samuel 16:13), signifying their divinely appointed roles. The lampstand, then, fueled by the Spirit and attended by these anointed leaders, represents Israel itself, called to be a light to the nations.
However, the angel's words also point to a future fulfillment. The phrase "who stand by the Lord of the whole earth" suggests a broader, messianic context. In the future messianic kingdom, Israel will rebuild the millennial temple (see Ezekiel 40–48) and fulfill its role as a light to the nations under the rule of the Messiah, who embodies both King and Priest.
Zechariah 4 offers a timeless message of hope and empowerment. It reminds us that God's work is not dependent on our strength or abilities, but on the unlimited power of His Spirit. Whether rebuilding a temple, overcoming personal challenges, or spreading the Gospel, we can trust in the Lord's promise: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit."
And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,
And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:
And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?
Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Zechariah 4 offers a powerful vision and message of encouragement, emphasizing that God's work is accomplished not through human strength, but through the power of His Spirit. This chapter, rich in symbolism, speaks directly to Zerubbabel's challenge of rebuilding the temple and resonates with believers today who face seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
The Vision of the Lampstand (Zechariah 4:1-5)
The prophet Zechariah is presented with a striking vision: a gold lampstand with a bowl at the top, supporting seven lamps, each in turn fed by seven spouts (Zechariah 4:2). This intricate design highlights the potential for tremendous light. Flanking the lampstand are two olive trees (Zechariah 4:3). Overwhelmed, Zechariah seeks understanding, questioning the meaning of the vision (Zechariah 4:4-5). This question sets the stage for a profound revelation.
"Not by Might, Nor by Power, But by My Spirit" (Zechariah 4:6-7)
The angel's interpretation begins with a direct word from the Lord to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and a descendant of David overseeing the temple reconstruction. This message is the heart of Zechariah 4: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). The Jews, facing opposition and discouragement during the rebuilding process (see Ezra 4:1-23), needed to understand that their success would not depend on their limited resources or political influence. Rather, it would be a direct result of the Holy Spirit's supernatural empowerment. The abundant oil fueling the brilliant lampstand symbolizes the overflowing power of God's Spirit, ready to sustain and illuminate His people. The mountain of opposition will become a plain.
Divine Assurance and Completion (Zechariah 4:8-10)
Reinforcing this promise, the Lord assures Zerubbabel that just as his hands laid the foundation of the temple, his hands would also complete it (Zechariah 4:9). The angel further reveals that the "seven eyes of the Lord," which diligently scan the entire earth, will rejoice when they see the capstone in Zerubbabel's hand (Zechariah 4:10). This signifies God's watchful care and commitment to ensuring the project's success. The Lord brought the Jews back from exile for a purpose, and He would not abandon them. Zechariah's role is to confidently encourage Zerubbabel and the people to persevere in the task God has given them (see Ezra 4:24–5:2). Don't despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.
This encouragement applies directly to us. As we engage in God's kingdom work, we must remember: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit" (Zechariah 4:6). Human effort alone is insufficient. True empowerment comes only through the Spirit of God.
The Two Anointed Ones (Zechariah 4:11-14)
Zechariah presses for further understanding, inquiring about the significance of the two olive trees. The angel explains that they represent "the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth" (Zechariah 4:11, 14).
In Zechariah's time, these figures likely referred to Joshua, the high priest, and Zerubbabel, the governor. Kings and priests were traditionally anointed in the Old Testament (see Leviticus 8:10-12; 1 Samuel 16:13), signifying their divinely appointed roles. The lampstand, then, fueled by the Spirit and attended by these anointed leaders, represents Israel itself, called to be a light to the nations.
However, the angel's words also point to a future fulfillment. The phrase "who stand by the Lord of the whole earth" suggests a broader, messianic context. In the future messianic kingdom, Israel will rebuild the millennial temple (see Ezekiel 40–48) and fulfill its role as a light to the nations under the rule of the Messiah, who embodies both King and Priest.
Zechariah 4 offers a timeless message of hope and empowerment. It reminds us that God's work is not dependent on our strength or abilities, but on the unlimited power of His Spirit. Whether rebuilding a temple, overcoming personal challenges, or spreading the Gospel, we can trust in the Lord's promise: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit."