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
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
§ 7. The fifth vision: the golden candlestick. read more
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
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
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
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
Knowest thou not? The angel speaks not so much in surprise at the prophet's slowness of comprehension (comp. John 3:10 ) as desirous of calling his most serious attention to the coming explanation. read more
The learner and the learned. I. THE SPIRIT OF THE LEARNER . Humility. The first thing to know, as the ancient sage said, is that we know nothing. Love of truth. For its own sake. To be sought for as hidden treasure—with ardour and delight. Obedience . Not merely readiness to receive, but courage to act. Faithful carrying out of principles. Progress. Step by step, in the spirit of self-sacrifice "When first thine eyes unveil, give thy soul leave to do the like" (Vaughan). ... read more
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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