“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 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!’” Zechariah 4:6-7
I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 4:1-7, which the commentary outlines as the first of three divisions for the text 4:1-14 (4:1-7, 8-10, 11-14). Here, I find myself grateful that I have my commentary available to me as it provides a more learned viewpoint on the text vs one that I possess without the commentary. My reading yesterday of the text suggested a messianic prophecy, which the commentary does not directly see. Of course the Holy Spirit - representing one person of the Trinity which contains Jesus - is a primary actor in the text. However, per the commentary, Jesus is not seen in the text as I saw it yesterday. The commentary shares how the lampstand "seems to be similar to the one in the tabernacle described in Exodus 25:31-40 or to the 10 lampstands that were in Solomon’s temple as described in 1 Kings 7:49." The purpose of the bowl, working in conjunction with the olive trees, with the lampstand is to "pour [oil]... down from the... [bowl's] channels into the lamps in an abundant supply. Zechariah also sees olive trees standing on either side of the lampstand, one to the right and other to the left....Instead of requiring human effort to keep the lamps burning, the Lord has provided a perpetual supply of oil.....The golden lampstand symbolizes God’s people, Israel. The oil—produced by the olive trees, supplied by the suspended bowl, and delivered by the 49 channels—represents the work of Holy Spirit, empowering Israel to be a light to the nations, directing them to God.....The vision portrays an endless supply of God’s Spirit, an endless supply of God’s power for His people to accomplish God’s purpose, supplied by God Himself. In the vision the bowl is above the lamp. This indicates that God’s power is not something that human beings work up. God’s power is something that He sends down. When the channels are open in our lives to receive His Spirit’s power, He is ready to send down everything we need to do His work." The commentary then pivots to explore v7b where it describes the "mountain" of opposition God's people faced rebuilding God's temple and how contemporary believers face similar opposition in the face of the work God calls them to do. It shares: "There may be a mountain you have faced for years, just as Zerubbabel faced the mountain of the incomplete temple. Each day of continued opposition and the increasing sense of defeat makes the mountain seem larger and more overwhelming. By now, you may think that you simply will never overcome it. And, in the deepest sense, you are right. You cannot overcome your obstacle. You cannot flatten the mountain on your own. But the Holy Spirit of God can overcome it. He lives inside of you, and He will empower you. The greatest obstacles can be conquered. As you trust in Him, God’s Spirit conquers even the greatest of obstacles." Amen!
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who encourages and strengthens me for the role in which You place me - whether that be in my family, in the workplace, or elsewhere. Thank You for equipping, encouraging, and strengthening me. I am not deserving of how You bless me. My sins are great and they continue...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
