Zech 4.1-14 tells us about a vision of the lampstand (or menorah, symbolic of the nation) and of two olive trees beside it. This chapter deals with Zerubbabel.
v 1… Then the angel (Hebrew “malak” or messenger) who was speaking with me (Zech 1.9) returned, and roused me as a man who was awakened from his sleep (sleep-like state; this is the fifth vision).
v 2… And he said to me, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see and behold, a lampstand (seven branched menorah deals with “light”, this chapter concerns Zerubbabel, like Chapter 3 was about Joshua. The symbol of the nation of Israel is the Menorah between two olive branches. The olive branches symbolize Moses and Elijah and the emblem is blue and white, taken from the colors on a tallit or prayer shawl. This will not be exactly what Zechariah will see, but the emblem for Israel was taken from this. The menorah is taken from a plant called the “menorah plant.” It is also called the “Moriah” plant which means “teacher” and the mountain on which Yeshua was crucified is called Moriah) all of gold (all of God) with its bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it with seven spouts (a pipe to every lamp alluding to the seven gifts of the Ruach in Isa 11.1-2 ) belonging to each of the lamps which are on top of it;
v 3… also two olive trees (the two trees pour oil into the bowl without the help of man, and also symbolizes the two witnesses, the Torah and the Prophets anointed by the oil of the Ruach ha Kodesh-Rom 3.21) by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side (these trees are called “two anointed ones” in verse 14, and in Hebrew it means “sons of fresh oil” meaning the Law and Prophets are inspired and empowered by the Ruach and also alludes to Revelation where the two witnesses will come in the “spirit and power” of Moses and Elijah).”
v 4… Then I answered and said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, “What are these, my lord (what do these mean, the whole vision)?”
v 5… So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are (to quicken his attention)?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
v 6… Then he answered and said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, “Not by might or power, but by my Spirit” says the Lord of hosts (in other words, Zerubbabel will see that the work he is doing will not be accomplished by human effort, but by the Spirit of God).
v 7… What are you, O great mountain (idiom for problems, obstacles or kingdoms, and this refers to those who oppose the building of the Temple like Sanballat or the Persians-Neh 3.33)? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain (vanish, disappear but not by human strength); and he will bring forth the top stone (the finishing stone of the Temple; its completion is certain) with shouts of Grace, grace to it (The Jewish people shouted praise when the first stone of the foundation of the Temple was laid-Ezra 3.11; Yehovah has directed his favor towards this end; in other words, the Temple would be finished by Zerubbabel by the grace of God. No worldly power will be able to stop him. He doesn’t have the bankroll Solomon had, no cut wood, supply stockpiles, gold, silver or bronze. All he has is a burned out city)!”
v 8… Also the word of the Lord came to me saying,
v 9… “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me (referring to the Word of the Lord in 4.8) to you (the Jewish people).
v 10… For who has despised the day of small things (this Temple would be smaller than Solomon’s Temple at first, but don’t despise it-Ezra 3.12)? But these seven (the eyes of the Lord) will be glad (look with favor) when they see the plumb line (to measure vertical lines when constructing) in the hand of Zerubbabel (to start building; also God is going to look at their attitude. It’s never just about doing what God wants, it’s the attitude you bring)-the eyes of the Lord which range to and fro throughout the earth (their influence and omniscience covers the whole earth, not just what happens in Israel).”
v 11… Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand (“menorah” and stands for the nation) and on the left (close by)?”
v 12… And I answered the second time and said to him, “What are the two olive branches (which grew on the olive trees) which are beside the two golden pipes which empty the golden oil from themselves (the “oil” or word of the Lord empowered by the Ruach goes through them into the bowl, then into the menorah)?”
v 13… So he answered me saying, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
v 14… Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones (“sons of fresh oil” or supplied with oil, who at that time were Zerubbabel and Joshua, who represent the kingship and the priesthood) who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth (as Yehovah’s divinely appointed representatives, and Yehovah will cause his Ruach to flow through them to his kahal, or assembly ).”
Leave a Reply