Zechariah 4:8-14

Zechariah 4:8

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

 

Then the LORD continues his vision to Zechariah with more promises concerning the building of the temple.  The LORD does nothing half way.

 

Zechariah 4:9

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.

 

Zerubbabel began laying the foundation in 537-536 B.C which was about 20 years before the Jews were repatriated to the land from the Babylonian captivity now held by the Medes and Persians.  The date is approximately 519 B.C. when he would be totally engaged in the building of the temple which would be accomplished by the builders through the power of the Spirit of God who empowered the builders.  The fact that the temple was being rebuilt was the confirmation that God was at work making sure the temple was being rebuilt.  This was also the confirmation by Zechariah that he was bringing the word of the LORD to the captives.

 

Zechariah 4:10

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.

 

The men that were working on the temple had compared it to the grand temple of Solomon and saw the temple they were building was much smaller in comparison to Solomon’s temple.  Many may have thought that a smaller building was an unworthy building project.  Sometimes that is how small ministries are viewed simply because they do not have media outreaches or are large.  Many Christians believe small ministries make no impact and therefore it is a waste of money supporting them.  God tells Zechariah to tell them that they should and will rejoice because they will see the plummet in the hands of Zerubbabel which means that the building of the temple is going forth under the total watchful eye of the LORD.  Even though the building itself is smaller, the teachings coming from it can have a mighty impact upon the people.  Not only is the LORD keeping a watchful eye on the building of the temple, but nothing in this world escapes his notice.  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.  (Revelation 5:6)  As we see in Revelation 5:6, the Holy Spirit is represented by the seven spirits which means his fullness.  The seven eyes are mentioned as being owned by the Lord Jesus Christ who sees all that is going on upon the earth including the rebuilding of the temple.

 

Zechariah 4:11

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?

 

Then Zechariah answers the LORD after he sees all these wonderful things which are about to happen.   Zechariah wanted to know the meaning of the two olive trees which he saw in the vision.  Remember that no vision stood on its own and was a representation of a spiritual truth to be revealed.

 

Zechariah 4:12

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?

 

 Zechariah answering again meant that he was continuing the dialogue.  He wanted to know about the two olive branches.  And 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:  (Exodus 25:32)  The two golden pipes were fastened to the golden bowl which had holes in both sides where the oil that come from it would go into the bowls which fed the pipes that kept the seven lamps burning.  This was also a supernatural event taking place wherein the lamps would always have oil enough to keep the lamps burning.  The oil was golden in color because of its purity.

 

Zechariah 4:13

And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

 

Then the LORD speaks to Zechariah and asks him if he knew what these things were?  Then Zechariah answers truthfully that he does not know what those things represent or who they represent.  This is why the study of the Scriptures is important because if we don’t know something, then we need the Holy Spirit to open our understanding so we will come to true understanding.

 

Zechariah 4:14

Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

 

The term “anointed ones” literally means “the sons of the fresh olive oil.”  If they are standing by the Lord of the whole earth, then the scene must be taking place in Heaven and that would mean the two anointed ones are the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the one who was overseeing the building of the temple and the Holy Spirit is the one who is strengthening the men to build it.  This parallel exists within the true church today.  The Lord Jesus is the one who is the head of the church and builds it while the Holy Spirit empowers the true Christians to continue to send forth the gospel amid major obstacles.  Those obstacles which seem like mountains to the believers will become as a plain when the Lord Jesus removes them and makes the mountain a plain.

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