Zec 4 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-7 The prophet's spirit was willing to attend, but the flesh was weak. We should beg of God that, whenever he speaks to us, he would awaken us, and we should then stir up ourselves. The church is a golden candlestick, or lamp-bearer, set up for enlightening this dark world, and holding forth the light of Divine revelation. Two olive trees were seen, one on each side the candlestick, from which oil flowed into the bowl without ceasing. God brings to pass his gracious purposes concerning his church, without any art or labour of man; sometimes he makes use of his instruments, yet he needs them not. This represented the abundance of Divine grace, for the enlightening and making holy the ministers and members of the church, and which cannot be procured or prevented by any human power. The vision assures us that the good work of building the temple, should be brought to a happy end. The difficulty is represented as a great mountain. But all difficulties shall vanish, and all the objections be got over. Faith will remove mountains, and make them plains. Christ is our Zerubbabel; mountains of difficulty were in the way of his undertaking, but nothing is too hard for him. What comes from the grace of God, may, in faith, be committed to the grace of God, for he will not forsake the work of his own hands.

‏ Zechariah 4

* A vision of a candlestick, with two olive trees. (1-7) Further

encouragement. (8-10) An explanation respecting the olive trees.

(11-14)

1-7 The prophet's spirit was willing to attend, but the flesh

was weak. We should beg of God that, whenever he speaks to us,

he would awaken us, and we should then stir up ourselves. The

church is a golden candlestick, or lamp-bearer, set up for

enlightening this dark world, and holding forth the light of

Divine revelation. Two olive trees were seen, one on each side

the candlestick, from which oil flowed into the bowl without

ceasing. God brings to pass his gracious purposes concerning his

church, without any art or labour of man; sometimes he makes use

of his instruments, yet he needs them not. This represented the

abundance of Divine grace, for the enlightening and making holy

the ministers and members of the church, and which cannot be

procured or prevented by any human power. The vision assures us

that the good work of building the temple, should be brought to

a happy end. The difficulty is represented as a great mountain.

But all difficulties shall vanish, and all the objections be got

over. Faith will remove mountains, and make them plains. Christ

is our Zerubbabel; mountains of difficulty were in the way of

his undertaking, but nothing is too hard for him. What comes

from the grace of God, may, in faith, be committed to the grace

of God, for he will not forsake the work of his own hands. 8-10 The exact fulfilment of Scripture prophecies is a

convincing proof of their Divine original. Though the

instruments be weak and unlikely, yet God often chooses such, to

bring about great things by them. Let not the dawning light be

despised; it will shine more and more to the perfect day. Those

who despaired of finishing the work, shall rejoice when they see

Zerubbabel giving directions what to do, and taking care that

the work be done. It is a comfort to us that the same all-wise,

almighty Providence, which governs the earth, is in particular

conversant about the church. All that have the plummet in their

hands, must look up to the eyes of the Lord, have constant

regard to Divine Providence, act in dependence on its guidance

and submission to its disposals. Let us fix our faith on Christ,

and view Him carrying on his work according to his own glorious

plan, and daily bringing his spiritual building nearer to

completion. 11-14 Zechariah desires to know what are the two olive trees.

Zerubbabel and Joshua, this prince and this priest, were endued

with the gifts and graces of God's Spirit. They lived at the

same time, and both were instruments in the work and service of

God. Christ's offices of King and Priest were shadowed forth by

them. From the union of these two offices in his person, both

God and man, the fullness of grace is received and imparted.

They built the temple, the church of God. So does Christ

spiritually. Christ is not only the Messiah, the Anointed One

himself, but he is the Good Olive to his church; and from his

fulness we receive. And the Holy Spirit is the unction or

anointing which we have received. From Christ the Olive Tree, by

the Spirit the Olive Branch, all the golden oil of grace flows

to believers, which keeps their lamps burning. Let us seek,

through the intercession and bounty of the Saviour, supplies

from that fulness which has hitherto sufficed for all his

saints, according to their trials and employments. Let us wait

on him in his ordinances, desiring to be sanctified wholly in

body, soul, and spirit.