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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 4:4

Verse 4 It afterwards follows, that the Prophet inquired of the Angel, What does this mean? We hence learn again, that the Prophet was instructed by degrees, in order that the vision might be more regarded by us; for if the Prophet had immediately obtained the knowledge of what was meant, the narrative might be read by us with no attention; we might at least be less attentive, and some might probably think that it was an uncertain vision. But as the Prophet himself attentively considered what... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:1

The angel that talked with me. The interpreting angel is meant. Came again, and waked me. It is thought that the angel, who is said ( Zechariah 2:3 ) to have gone forth, now rejoined the prophet and renewed his colloquy with him. But the expression in the text is probably only equivalent to "aroused me again" (comp. Genesis 26:18 ; 2 Kings 1:11 , 2 Kings 1:13 , etc.). Absorbed in awe and wonder at the contemplation of the preceding vision, the prophet had fallen into a state of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:1-7

The Church revived. "And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me," etc. The imagery of these verses is twofold; but their subject seems one. By the "candlestick" expressly mentioned in Zechariah 4:2 (comp. Revelation 1:13 ; Revelation 2:1 ; also Matthew 5:14 , Matthew 5:15 ; Philippians 2:15 ), and by the temple tacitly referred to in Zechariah 4:7 , we understand, spiritually, the same thing, viz. in the first instance certainly the Jewish Church of that time.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:1-7

The Church in three aspects. I. SYMBOLICALLY REPRESENTED . ( Zechariah 4:2 , Zechariah 4:3 .) Candelabrum. II. DEVOUTLY CONTEMPLATED . ( Zechariah 4:5 .) Humble, earnest, reverent inquiry. III. DIVINELY INTERPRETED . 1 . The unity of the Church. 2 . The spiritual use of the Church. 3 . The Divine care of the Church. 4 . The future glory of the Church. The Church should be: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:1-10

Man as a student of the Divine revelation and a doer of Divine work. "And the angel that talked with me," etc. "It is needful to keep in mind that all these successive scenes were presented to the mind of the prophet in vision; and that each vision was distinct, forming a whole of itself, independently of the scenery of those which preceded it, although not so as to preclude connection in the lessons taught, and occasional reference (such as we shall find in the one now before us) to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:1-14

§ 7. The fifth vision: the golden candlestick. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:2

What seest thou? The angel does not show the vision to the prophet, but makes him describe it, and then explains its import. This vision of the candlestick, with its seven lamps fed by two olive trees, signifies that the work of rebuilding the temple, and preparing the way for the Church of the true Israel, was to be accomplished by relying, not on human resources, but on Divine aid. Thus were Zerubbabel and his people roused to perseverance and energy in their good work, of which the final... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:2

On seeing. The question, "What seest thou?" suggests— I. THE SLUMBER OF THE SOUL . ( Zechariah 4:1 .) Want of consciousness and activity. Delusions ( Isaiah 29:7 ), Peril ( Mark 13:36 ). II. THE AWAKENING OF THE SOUL . ( Zechariah 4:1 .) "The angel" may be taken to illustrate the various ministries employed by God to quicken and rouse his people. Providence. Loss of health, property, friends, and such like incidents. Word of the truth . Law and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:3

Two olive trees. These, as explained in Zechariah 4:12 , discharged the oil from their fruit-bearing branches into conduits which led to the central reservoir. Without man's agency the oil is separated from the berry and keeps the lamps constantly supplied (comp. Revelation 2:4 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:4

What are these, my lord? The question may refer to the two olive trees, which were a novelty to the prophet, who, of course, was well acquainted with the form and use, if not the symbolism, of the candelabrum. But it may also be taken as desiring information about the whole vision. read more

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