Oct. 9, 2005

 

  Having given the initial vision in vs.1-5, Zechariah is then given an explanation of the vision.  Ch.4:6-7  “this is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel”- this authoritative declaration is to give importance to the message.  Note that Zerubbabel (Hag.1:1), the governor is addressed rather than Zechariah.  This is interesting as Joshua, the high priest was in vision #4 with Zerubbabel, the governor in vision #5—that is the spiritual and civil figures of authority are respectively addressed in the two visions.

   “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.”-  Oddly, the sentence lacks both a subject and a verb.  It is thought this is deliberately done in order to focus on God’s sovereign power.

1) This line is thought to be referring to the rebuilding of the Temple or the overcoming of obstacles to rebuilding (note vs.9 “hands of Z. have laid…”

2)  This line has a  negative emphasis by use of “not…nor”

3)  This line evidences rejection of human power or ability in accomplishing

 this task.

4)  The desired goal [rebuilding the Temple] is accomplished by the sovereign

 work of God’s Spirit.  Such remark underscores the accomplishment of the divine program by God’s power alone- see Isaiah 46:10-11.

“Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!”  These remarks support the earlier emphasis on accomplishment thru divine power alone by addressing [called personification] any and all obstructions as a ‘mountain’, even referring to them as ‘great’ for their size and immovability. (see Matt.17:20).  God’s power will reduce such to a flat plain!- see Luke 3:5.

This entire paragraph is to be understood as a triumphal shout!  These words are to encourage both Joshua and Zerubbabel as in Haggai 2:4-5.

“he shall bring forth the capstone..”  this “stone” is literal and signifies the finishing of the Temple and its acceptance by God that Israel may again function as a priest nation.   He =Zerubbabel as governor.  “with shouts of “grace, grace to it”- this would be the voice of those who witness the capstone placing as shout joyfully.  “grace” here is like ‘lovely or elegant’ as in Prov.11:16.  Note Haggai 2:3 which speaks of the unfinished Temple while Zech.4:7 refers to the finished Temple.

Ch.4:8-10- these words are given to encourage those who are being motivated by Zechariah and Haggai to finish the work of the Temple.  “the hands of Zerubbabel have laid….shall also finish it”-  the work will not drag on but be finished in Zerubbabel’s lifetime.  The divine declaration of vs.8 “word of the LORD came to me” is to express that God has declared this, not Zerubbabel.

And because of that –“you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me”. 

 

 

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“for who has despised the day of small things?’ –this question is intended to convict those of Israel who thought the entire Temple rebuilding to be a waste of time.  The undertaking was God’s will regardless of how small or insignificant

it may have appeared to unbelievers and nay-sayers.

  “for these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.  They are the eyes of the LORD, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”-  while some question who the “seven” are, it is suggested to refer back to 3:9 where “seven” were the “eyes of the LORD”-

this indicates the divine omniscience of God who ‘seeing the plumbline’ (that is, the beginning of the rebuilding of the Temple) knew it would be accomplished.

It must be added that while this vision has historical import by its encouraging words to Zerubbabel and other Jews, it also carries a Messianic connotation of

One who would come later and build what would be the Millennial Temple of

Ezk.40-48.

  Ch.4:11-14- what remains is development of the last feature of the vision:

the two olive branches.  This is the source of the limitless supply of oil

that pointed to the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the divine plan.

Zechariah asks (vs.12) and again the angel responds “do you not know…?”.

Zechariah confesses “no”.

  They are identified as “two anointed ones who stand beside the LORD of the whole earth”-  some have suggested “the law and the prophets”; others

propose Old and New Testament and still others Moses and Elijah.

  Since the vision is of Israel functioning as “light” to the world through the power of God’s Spirit, we may suggest the “two anointed ones” are the offices of Joshua and Zerubbabel; that is, the priestly and the kingly offices.   But since the vision takes us to the millennium when Israel will function as a “light” –the offices of priest and king are seen as expressed through the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is a Priest (Heb.6:20-24- forever after the order of Melchisedek)

And He is a King (Rev.19:16) and the two come together in Psa.110:1-7.

Further, note the words “the whole earth” and compare that with Gen.14:19 –

‘possessor of the whole earth’.