Zechariah’s fifth night-time vision begins when the angel wakes him “like a man who is awakened out of his sleep” (4:1). The angel asks, “What do you see?” Zechariah replies he sees “a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps” (4:2). Next to this golden lampstand, Zechariah observes “two olive trees”, one on the right of the lampstand and the other on the left (4:3). When asked by the angel what all this signifies, Zechariah admits he doesn’t know (4:5).
The angel explains that this vision brings “the word of the Lord” to Zerubbabel, who along with Joshua the high priest oversees the rebuilding of the Temple (4:6). Zerubbabel is given an encouraging message: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it’” (4:6-7).
Evidently, the golden lampstand (a menorah) symbolizes the Temple, rebuilt and restored to full operation. Though at the present time, the reconstruction project seemed as massive and daunting as a “great mountain”, it would become “a plain” (4:7). Zerubbabel and his team of builders would see it completed. In fact, Zerubbabel, who laid the foundation, would also place “the top stone” amid shouts of joyful gratitude to God for His grace that overcame all the obstacles and opposition they faced (4:7). The Jews would know their success was not due to their “might” or “power” but to the grace of the Lord’s Spirit (4:6).
The Lord’s message continues with further encouragement for Zerubbabel: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it” (4:9). All this will take place to confirm the divine origin of this prophetic vision (4:9). The doubters who “despised” the initial efforts to rebuild the Temple as inferior and inadequate (see Ezra 3:12; Hag 2:3) will revise their estimations and rejoice at its completion under the leadership of Zerubbabel (4:10). The angel speaking to Zechariah underscores the certainty of this vision by saying the seven lamps on the menorah symbolize the “eyes of the Lord” which see all that is happening on the earth (4:10).
At this point Zechariah asks two questions: “What are the two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” and “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?” (4:11-12). The angel seems surprised Zechariah hasn’t figured this out. He replies, “Do you not know what these are?” (4:13). When Zechariah admits he does not know, the angel clarifies their symbolism: “These are the two anointed ones (literally “sons of new oil”) who stand by the Lord of the whole earth” (4:14). The olive trees through which oil flows to supply the lampstand represent the two key leaders anointed by God’s Spirit for this task: Joshua and Zerubbabel. The Lord’s grace to rebuild and restore the Temple flows through them to see this massive project to its glorious completion.
Knowing God: Understanding His Person and Ways
The Lord works through imperfect leaders to accomplish His purposes. The primary overseers for the Temple reconstruction—Joshua and Zerubbabel—struggled and stumbled in their leadership. They failed to keep the builders working after the foundation had been finished. Opposition from the surrounding nations combined with the discouragement and distraction of the Jewish remnant brought the project to a halt (Ezra 4:24; Hag 1:4). On top of that, Joshua stood dirty and guilty before God (3:3). But instead of replacing these two leaders, God renewed and restored them. Joshua was cleansed (3:4); Zerubbabel was empowered (4:6-10). Still today, the Lord graciously and powerfully works through imperfect leaders as He moves His people to fulfill His purposes.
The Lord anoints and empowers His servants with His Spirit. To lead God’s people, both Joshua and Zerubbabel needed God’s gracious help. The Lord provided what they lacked by anointing them and empowering them by His Spirit (4:6,14). In Zechariah’s vision, these two leaders appear as two olive trees through which oil flows to the golden lampstand. Throughout the Scripture, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power (see 2 Cor 1:21-22; 1 John 2:20). Both Joshua and Zerubbabel are anointed with the Spirit for the task of leading God’s people (so also Aaron in Lev 8:12; David in 1 Sam 16:13; Jesus in Acts 10:38). Today, those who lead God’s people need the Spirit’s gracious, powerful anointing to fulfill their ministry callings.
Joining God: Moving with God on Mission
The mountain-size obstacles we face in serving God are no match for His Spirit. In the vision of the golden lampstand and olive trees, there is no mountain. Yet, the meaning of the vision relates to a mountain-sized obstacle faced by Zerubbabel and the Jews. Rebuilding the Temple while facing external threats and internal distractions was proving to be a monumental task. But through the presence and power the Lord’s Spirit, symbolized by the oil and golden lampstand, this mountain would become level ground. This vision was meant to bolster the faith of Zerubbabel as he led the rebuilding effort. As Jesus later would say, faith as small as a mustard seed will see God move mountains (Matt 17:20).
While we work hard in serving the Lord, victory comes by grace through God’s Spirit. The angel speaking to Zechariah acknowledges the effort Zerubbabel personally invested in the rebuilding project. With his own hands he “laid the foundation of this house” (4:9). He would stay on the job until “his hands shall also complete it” (4:9). Still, the credit for the successful completion of the rebuilding project would go, not to Zerubbabel’s might or power, but to the Lord’s Spirit (4:6). That’s why when Zerubbabel would “bring forward the top stone” to finish the reconstruction, the people would shout “Grace, grace to it” (4:7). The effort we invest in God’s work is vitally important; however, the glory and honour for any success goes to God’s grace and His Spirit. We play a part in God’s story, but He remains the hero.
Rick and Linda Reed 