Minor Prophets · Chapter 4 of 14

Zechariah 4

Zechariah sees a gold lampstand fed by seven lamps, flanked by two olive trees that pour oil into it. The angel explains this is God's word to Zerubbabel: the temple will be finished not by might nor power but by God's Spirit. Mountains of obstacle become plains, the day of small things must not be despised, and the two olive trees are the two anointed ones who serve the Lord of all the earth.

What happens in Zechariah 4

The angel wakes Zechariah and asks what he sees. He describes a golden lampstand with a bowl on top, seven lamps, and an olive tree on each side. Zechariah asks what these mean. The angel gives the vision's heart as a word to Zerubbabel, the governor rebuilding the temple: the work will be accomplished not by might, nor by power, but by God's Spirit. The great mountain of opposition will flatten before Zerubbabel, who will bring out the top stone amid shouts of grace.

The hands that laid the foundation will finish it. No one should despise the day of small things, for God's eyes range over the whole earth and rejoice to see the work resume. Zechariah asks about the two olive trees pouring golden oil through pipes, and the angel names them the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Zechariah 4 in context

Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, governed Judah during the temple's reconstruction around 520 BC. The work had stalled under opposition and discouragement, and the new foundation seemed pitifully small compared to Solomon's temple.

This vision answers that despair. The lampstand recalls the tabernacle menorah, but here it is fed automatically by living olive trees, picturing a supply of divine enabling that does not depend on human effort.

Main themes of Zechariah 4

Zechariah 4 (KJV)

1And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 3And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 5Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 6Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 7Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 8Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 9The 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. 10For 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. 11Then 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? 12And 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? 13And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 14Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

Verses to carry from Zechariah 4

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”Zechariah 4:6

“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.”Zechariah 4:10

“Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.”Zechariah 4:14

Reflection

Is something you are called to feel too small to matter, or too large for your strength? This vision meets both fears. God rejoices over small beginnings and supplies the power himself. Give up despising the little and straining in your own might, and simply receive his Spirit and shine.

A prayer from Zechariah 4