Zechariah 4
Summary for Zech 4:1-14: 4:1-14 a This vision affirms that through his Spirit, God would enable Zerubbabel and Jeshua to rebuild the Temple. 4:1 b woke me: The series of visions (1:7–6:8 c) came to Zechariah in a single night. The prophet slept briefly before this fifth vision.Summary for Zech 4:2-3: 4:2-3 d gold lampstand: The golden menorah of the Tabernacle (Exod 25:31 e) was duplicated in the new Temple as a symbol of God’s purity and holiness and the light of his revelation.
• The two olive trees represent the offices of priest and king in Israel; they are emblems for Jeshua and Zerubbabel. The golden oil (see also Zech 4:12-14 f) represents God’s Holy Spirit.
4:6 g Jeshua and Zerubbabel would have success in the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple, not by their own force or strength, but because of the presence of God’s empowering Spirit (cp. Hag 2:4-5 h).
4:7 i A mighty mountain ... will become a level plain is a figure of speech in both Old Testament (see Isa 40:4 j; 49:11 k) and New Testament (see Matt 17:20 l; 1 Cor 13:2 m). Faith in God enables his servants to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
• The capstone or headstone (final stone) completes a stone wall or building (see Ps 118:22 n).
• May God bless it!: This prayer seeks God’s favor and blessing on the new Temple.
4:10 o A plumb line, a cord with a tin or lead weight attached to one end, is used in construction to ensure that a wall is vertical.
• The seven lamps: Seven signifies completeness or perfection. God sees all that takes place on earth; he controls the fates of peoples and nations.
4:14 p two anointed ones: Jeshua and Zerubbabel, the religious and civic leaders of Jerusalem after the return from exile (3:1 q, 7 r; 4:6-7 s; Hag 1:14 t; 2:2-3 u), were anointed with oil as part of their commissioning. Under their leadership, the Temple of the Lord was rebuilt and worship was restored in Jerusalem.
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