Zechariah 4
CHATER 1 gave a general view, necessarily very brief; the second chapter pointed to God’s reclaiming Jerusalem, and dwelling there, amid His recovered people, with many nations joined to Him in that day; the third chapter showed both the need for a moral cleansing, and His purpose to perform that work according to His own mind. As with Nicodemus in John 3, the question natural to the Jew is, “How can these things be?” The fourth chapter is God’s answer, in language purposely veiled.
The awakening of the prophet (verse 1) to receive what follows, in a figure, expresses the change which must occur in his people. They must he awakened from the spiritual slumber of centuries when God begins to work in and for them.
The candlestick or light bearer all of gold, having seven lamps fed by seven pipes from the golden bowl above, is a striking picture of the Holy Spirit’s operations, particularly in giving the light of divine testimony on the earth; by Him God’s work is done, whether in blessing or in judgment. (See Revelation 4; Exodus 25:31-4031And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 32And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: 33Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. 34And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 35And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 36Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 37And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. 38And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. 39Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. 40And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount. (Exodus 25:31‑40)). Gold is the well-known symbol of what is of God, and the number seven expresses spiritual completeness.
The olive trees (verses 3 and 11-14) evidently represent Christ as king; and priest—offices dimly foreshadowed by Zerubbabel (king), and Joshua (priest). The two witnesses in Revelation 11:44These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. (Revelation 11:4) will be a last pledge for faith of God’s unalterable purpose to bring to completion the Old Testament prophecies through Christ, and by the Holy Spirit.
For its fulfilment verse 6 awaits the last years immediately before the Lord’s coming again to the world, when God will take up the Jew (and the lost ten tribes) for blessing. Neither with a display of force, nor in connection with authority and dominion, brit by the Holy Spirit none the less, will Israel’s rebirth be accomplished. 1 Kings 19:11,1211And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11‑12) illustrates the, divine principle here indicated.
Zerubbabel is constantly used as a type of the Lord as Son of David; before Him no obstacle however great (verse 7), can stand. Zerubbabel had laid the foundation of the house of God (Ezra 3-8), and he was to finish the building (in the sixth year of the reign of Darius Hystaspes. Ezra 6:1515And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. (Ezra 6:15)). But the bringing forth of the headstone with shoutings because of the favor of God, looks onward as prophecy in general does, to the coining day of Israel’s recovery. Then through the Lord’s mercy and goodness, the house of God will be reestablished at Jerusalem (Micah 4).
Meanwhile, there is the word of God, the infallible word of prophecy; at its fulfilment it will be realized, even by the dullest, that He had spoken. But he who despises the present day of small things, will not share in the joys of the day of glory.
Verse 10, as will be seen from the marginal note, involves a little difficulty in the rendering. It is believed that the true reading, following the first clause, is, “Yea, they shall rejoice—even those seven —and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; these are the eyes of Jehovah, which run to and fro in the whole earth.” The faithfulness of God takes notice of everything. (See 2 Chronicles 16:99For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. (2 Chronicles 16:9); Jeremiah 3:2:19; Proverbs 15:33The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3); Zechariah 3:9,9For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. (Zechariah 3:9) the last pointing to Christ, the true Foundation Stone of God’s temple).
ML 08/08/1937