THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK AND OLIVE TREES ZECHARIAH 4:1-14

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1 1 Commentary by Charles Box Questions by John C. Sewell THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK AND OLIVE TREES ZECHARIAH 4:1-14

2 2 Text: The Golden Candlesticks and Olive Trees Commentary By Charles Box

3 3 Zechariah 4:1-14, 1. The angelic messenger who had been speaking with me then returned and woke me, as a person is wakened from sleep. 2. He asked me, What do you see? I replied, I see a menorah of pure gold with a receptacle at the top and seven lamps, with fourteen pipes going to the lamps. 3. There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right of the receptacle and the other on the left. 4 Then I asked the messenger who spoke with me, What are these, sir? 5. He replied, Don t you know what these are? So I responded, No, sir. 6. Therefore he told me, These signify the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord who rules over all. 7. What are you, you great mountain? Because of Zerubbabel you will become a level plain! And he will bring forth the temple capstone with shoutings of Grace! Grace! because of this. 8 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me as follows: 9. The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundations of this temple, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord who rules over all has sent me to you. 10. For who dares make light of small beginnings? These seven eyes will joyfully look on the tin tablet in Zerubbabel s hand. (These are the eyes of the Lord, which constantly range across the whole earth.)

4 Next I asked the messenger, What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the menorah? 12. Before he could reply I asked again, What are these two extensions of the olive trees, which are emptying out the golden oil through the two golden pipes? 13. He replied, Don t you know what these are? And I said, No, sir. 14. So he said, These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth. (NET) Introduction: I. These visions were coming to Zechariah one after another during the same night. A. The prophet was awakened from his sleep by the angel with his vision. 1. It may be that some of us need to be awakened so that God can speak to us through the Bible. B. The purpose of this vision was to assure the prophet that the work of building the Temple would be completed. 1. It was a very difficult work but, with God s help, it was finished. 2. The difficulty of the task was pictured as a great mountain.

5 The prophet was told concerning Zerubbabel s work, that mountain in front of you will be leveled to the ground. 4. The Lord spoke unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. 5. God helps us in dealing with our mountains of difficulty also. II. The odds were great against the people of God. A. The people God used were feeble in number. 1. They were weak when compared to the task before them. 2. Some despaired at the thought of ever finishing the Temple. 3. They despised the day of small things. B. They would rejoice to see Zerubbabel giving directions concerning what to do, and taking care that the work was done. 1. They would rejoice at the completion of the building. 2. Zechariah understood that the candlestick was representative of God giving His light and providence to this work. 3. He also desired to know about the two olive trees. 4. Zerubbabel and Joshua were the two men sent from God to bring both courage and light to the people. a. They were great instruments in the work and service of God.

6 Our two olive trees are the Old Testament and the New Testament. a. These two covenants are the source of our spiritual light. Commentary: A Vision of a Candlestick Zechariah 4:1-5, The angelic messenger who had been speaking with me then returned and woke me, as a person is wakened from sleep. He asked me, What do you see? I replied, I see a menorah of pure gold with a receptacle at the top and seven lamps, with fourteen pipes going to the lamps. There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right of the receptacle and the other on the left. Then I asked the messenger who spoke with me, What are these, sir? He replied, Don t you know what these are? So I responded, No, sir. (NET) I. In the beginning of the book, Zechariah told us that these were night visions. A. I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. (Zechariah 1:8) 1. All the visions seem to have come in that same night. 2. The prophet may have been in a slumber as he thought about the earlier visions. 3. Now his attention was aroused to another vision.

7 7 B. The angel asked Zechariah, What do you see? 1. The prophet saw a gold lampstand with an oil container. a. On the candlestick he saw seven lamps, each with seven flames. b. These were things that pertained to the service of the tabernacle under the Mosaic Law. (Exodus 25:31-40) i. Exodus 25:31-40, You are to make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand is to be made of hammered metal; its base and its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its blossoms are to be from the same piece. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand, three branches of the lampstand from one side of it and three branches of the lampstand from the other side of it. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, and three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on the next branch, and the same for the six branches extending from the lampstand. On the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms, with a bud under the first two branches from it, and a bud under the next two branches from it, and a bud under the third two branches from it, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand. Their buds and their branches will be one piece, all of it one hammered piece of pure gold. You are to make its seven lamps, and then set its lamps up on it, so that it will give light to the area in front of it. Its trimmers and its trays are to be

8 8 of pure gold. About seventy-five pounds of pure gold is to be used for it and for all these utensils. Now be sure to make them according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain. (NET) C. There were two olive trees; one olive tree is on the right side and another on the left of the oil container. 1. The oil that was used in the lamps was olive oil. a. The olive oil burns to give light. b. Zechariah said, Sir, what do these mean? 2. Near the close of the chapter he will ask again about the olive trees. a. Zechariah said he did not understand what the olive trees were. b. In Zechariah 4:14 it will be explained. i. Zechariah 4:14, So he said, These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth. (NET) An Explanation of the Vision Zechariah 4:6-7, Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD who rules over all. What are you, you great mountain? Because of Zerubbabel you will become a level plain! And he will bring forth the temple capstone with shoutings of Grace! Grace! because of this. (NET) I. The vision was stated in Zechariah 4:1-5.

9 9 A. Zechariah 4:1-5, The angelic messenger who had been speaking with me then returned and woke me, as a person is wakened from sleep. He asked me, What do you see? I replied, I see a menorah of pure gold with a receptacle at the top and seven lamps, with fourteen pipes going to the lamps. There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right of the receptacle and the other on the left. Then I asked the messenger who spoke with me, What are these, sir? 5 He replied, Don t you know what these are? So I responded, No, sir. (NET) B. It will be explained in Zechariah 4: Zechariah 4:11-14, Next I asked the messenger, What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the menorah? Before he could reply I asked again, What are these two extensions of the olive trees, which are emptying out the golden oil through the two golden pipes? He replied, Don t you know what these are? And I said, No, sir. So he said, These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth. (NET) 2. The verses in between provide some information about Zerubbabel, the political leader of the people. a. Zechariah 3 provided some information about Joshua, the high priest, the religious leader of the Jews. b. God wanted it understood that this would happen. C. The new Temple would be built. 1. The Temple would not be built by human strength or by political power.

10 The message was Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6) 3. Zerubbabel would face great obstacles in the rebuilding process. D. These obstacles were pictures as of a great mountain. 1. The work was difficult and the local enemies tried to make that mountain even higher. 2. God had chosen Zerubbabel to lead in the reconstruction. a. Ezra 2:2, They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of Israelites was as follows: (NET) b. Ezra 3:2, Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his priestly colleagues and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his colleagues started to build the altar of the God of Israel so they could offer burnt offerings on it as required by the law of Moses the man of God. (NET) 3. However, the Temple would be rebuilt, but it would be completed by the power of the Spirit of God and not by the might of men. 4. There were many problems for Zerubbabel to overcome. a. These problems seem like a great mountain. b. But God promised that what seemed like a mountain in front of Zerubbabel would be leveled to the ground.

11 Zerubbabel had put that headstone or foundation stone in place about fifteen (15) years earlier. a. Now God promised that Zerubbabel would finish the building. b. It would be finished with the shout of, Grace, grace unto it. i. Grace was especially upon it because the Messiah would enter that Temple. ii. Grace and truth are also ours through Jesus, the Messiah. The Temple Will Be Completed Zechariah 4:8-10, Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me as follows: The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundations of this temple, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD who rules over all has sent me to you. For who dares make light of small beginnings? These seven eyes will joyfully look on the tin tablet in Zerubbabel s hand. (These are the eyes of the LORD, which constantly range across the whole earth.) (NET) I. We are reminded several times that this Bible book is inspired of God. A. This reminder is seen in the statement, The Lord spoke to me again and said, 1. The work on the Temple was started with excitement. 2. Sadly, the work was hindered and finally stopped. a. The enemies seemed just too strong. b. Two verses from Ezra four (4) tell that sad story.

12 12 i. First, Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel. (Ezra 4:1) ii. The enemies heard of the work on the Temple and they got busy to stop it. iii. Then we read, Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. (Ezra 4:24) 3. Now the Lord assured the people that the work on the Temple would be completed. a. Zerubbabel laid the foundation for the temple, and he will complete it. b. The result is the Temple is being completed and everyone could see that the All-powerful Lord was in control. i. The rebuilding of the Temple was looked upon as the day of small beginnings. ii. Some of the older people wept when they saw the small beginning. (Ezra 3:12) iii. Ezra 3:12, Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his priestly colleagues and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his colleagues started to build the altar of the God of Israel so they could offer burnt offerings on it as required by the law of Moses the man of God. (NET)

13 13 iv. This might have been for joy, but more than likely for grief. c. They should never have despised the day of small beginning because the Lord would bring it to completion. B. Those seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord. They see everything on earth and He is always involved in the lives and work of His people. An Explanation of the Olive Trees Zechariah 4:11-14, Next I asked the messenger, What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the menorah? Before he could reply I asked again, What are these two extensions of the olive trees, which are emptying out the golden oil through the two golden pipes? He replied, Don t you know what these are? And I said, No, sir. So he said, These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth. (NET) I. Now we go back to the question that was first asked in Zechariah 4:5, What about the olive trees on each side of the lampstand? What do they represent? A. The prophet asked this question three times. 1. Zechariah 4:4, 11, 12, Then I asked the messenger who spoke with me, What are these, sir? Next I asked the messenger, What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the menorah? Before he could reply I asked again, What are these two extensions of the olive trees, which are emptying out the golden oil through the two golden pipes? (NET) 2. He first called them olive trees and later he called them branches (extensions in the NET).

14 14 a. The two olive trees refer to Joshua and Zerubbabel. b. God has always sent valiant men to be strong leaders among His people. c. Together Joshua and Zerubbabel offered leadership in two essential areas of life. i. Joshua was the high priest. ii. He offered leadership in spiritual matters. iii. Zerubbabel took the lead in helping to restore the Jews politically and in the building of the Temple. 3. Today we have two witnesses, the Old Testament and the New Testament from which we receive God s light. a. This may be a secondary meaning of this prophecy, but Joshua and Zerubbabel are primarily meant. b. When the question concerning the two olive trees was asked the third time, a few more details were added. i. What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? ii. The olive oil had a color like gold. 4. This indicates that the Lord s work on rebuilding the Temple was being done through various agencies. a. This has to be a picture of God s grace.

15 15 Conclusion: b. Things of this nature could never be if it was not the Lord s doing. c. It is of interest to note that some Bible versions call Joshua and Zerubbabel sons of oil. d. The meaning is that they were anointed to do this work for God. e. Today we have the two anointed ones, the Old Testament and the New Testament. I. Those that serve God are blessed and those that rebel are punished. A. Is it your desire to honor God? 1. If so it is time to become a Christian now! a. Follow Jesus in faithfulness as he leads you home to heaven. i. Revelation 2:10, Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. (NET)

16 16 Questions By John C. Sewell Zechariah 4:1-14 (Questions based on NIV text) 1. Then the who with me and me, as a man is from his. He asked me, What do you see? (NIV) 2. What did Zechariah say in answer to the angel s questions? 3. What did these things represent? 4. What was the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel?

17 Who was Zerubbabel? 6. What was the mighty mountain mentioned in verse 7? 7. What would Zerubbabel build on this land? 8. How would this mighty mountain become level ground? 9. The of the came to me ( ): The of have the of this ; his will also it. Then you will also it. Then you will that the has me to you. (NIV)

18 Who despised the day of small things? What small things did they despise? 11. What small things do people despise today? Which of the things are rightly and which are wrongly despised? 12. What is meant by the seven (7) eyes of the Lord, which range throughout the earth? 13. What are the two olive branches of verse 12? Are they the same as the two olive trees of verse 11? Explain your answer. 14. What were the two gold pipes from which flow golden oil? What was represented by the gold pipes and golden oil?

19 What two men were appointed to serve the Lord of all the earth? What exactly were they appointed to do?

The Construction of the Menorah

The Construction of the Menorah God instructed the House of Israel to build a seven-branched lampstand of pure gold (Ex 25:31-40). The shape reminds of a flowering tree of life. On each of the six side