Zechariah 4 summary

Zechariah Chapter 4: The lampstand, olive trees and branches, and the Holy Spirit

©Tod Kennedy, todkennedy.com; knowbelieveapply.com

Sentence Summary: the ministry of the Holy Spirit is necessary to accomplish God’s work. Yahweh God gives power to his appointed leaders.

The angel now gives Zechariah a vision of a lampstand fed oil from two olive trees (Zechariah 4.3, 11). The trees provided oil for the lamps. They teach that the work to be done must be done by the Holy Spirit through his man, not by human power (Zechariah 4.1-6). The Holy Spirit’s power will remove obstacles (mountain) and complete the temple (Zechariah 4.7-11). Zechariah then asked what the olive branches were (Zechariah 4.12). The olive branches were the two anointed leaders, Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor (Zechariah 4.13-14). Both were instrumental in completing the temple, an almost impossible task, only to be finished through the Holy Spirit.

  1. Zechariah 4.1-7. The vision of the lampstand and two olive trees.
    1. Zechariah 4.1. The angel woke Zechariah and asked the question.
    2. Zechariah 4.2-3. The menorah מְנוֹרָה menorah, lampstand. It had a bowl on top (above it), seven lamps (apparently on each arm of the lampstand), and seven lips on each lamp where the wicks are placed (seven spouts, 49 lines). The olive oil runs from the olive trees to the bowl on top to the lamps through the spouts.
    3. Zechariah 4.4-5. Question from Zechariah to the messenger angel, and the angel answers with a question. Zechariah needs the interpretation of the vision.
    4. Zechariah 4.6. The point of the vision is that God’s power through the Holy Spirit is necessary to accomplish God’s will, which here is the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple. Short doctrine of Holy Spirit in life.
    5. Zechariah 4.7. The great mountain is the difficulty of completing the temple Zerubbabel will complete the job, expressed by the mountain becoming a plain. Something high and difficult to overcome will be leveled out. The difficulty will vanish. The top stone (uppermost) will be placed. Then the response of grace, grace (חֵן chen, agreeableness, charm, favor). The people respond at the completion. They expect God’s favor now. But they do not follow through with their faith and service.
  2. Zechariah 4.8-10. Zerubbabel will direct building the new temple. Finished in 516 BC. Some will think back about Solomon’s temple and think this rebuilt temple is insignificant in comparison. God will be glad it is finished.
  3. Zechariah 4.11-14. The two Olive branches are symbols for Zerubbabel the Governor of Judah (Hag. 1:1, 12, 14; 2:21) and Joshua the high priest, the subject of Zechariah 3.

So What Lessons

  1. Revelation: God’s revelation is needed to know what we are to do. The Bible and divine guidance.
  2. Ability: We need God’s power to do his work. The ministry of the Holy Spirit. Walking by the Spirit.
  3. People: God uses his chosen person to accomplish his work, but they do his work as he directs and gives the ability. Ministry and Love