57 lines
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57 lines
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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PriorBook = 'Haggai';
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Title = 'The Book of Zechariah';
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<p id="Chapter4" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 4
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<p id="Zec4_1"><a onclick="return mV('Zec',4,'1-14');">Zec 4:1-14</a>. FIFTH VISION. <i>The golden candlestick and the two olive trees. The temple shall be completed by the aid of God's Spirit.</i>
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<p><b>1. waked me</b>—The prophet was lying in a state of ecstatic slumber with astonishment at the previous vision. "Came again, and waked me," does not imply that the angel had departed and now returned, but is an idiom for "waked me again."
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<p id="Zec4_2"><b>2. candlestick</b>—symbolizing the Jewish theocracy; and ultimately, the Church of which the Jewish portion is to be the head: the <i>light-bearer</i> (so the original is of "lights," <a onclick="return mV('Mat',5,14,16);">Mat 5:14, 16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,15);">Phl 2:15</a>) to the world.
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<br><br><b>all...gold</b>—all pure in doctrine and practice, precious and indestructible; such is the true ideal of the Church; such she shall be (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',45,13);">Psa 45:13</a>).
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<br><br><b>bowl upon the top</b>—In the candlestick of the tabernacle the <i>plural</i> is used, <i>bowls</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',25,'1-);">Exd 25:1 - 31:18</a>). The <i>Hebrew</i> implies that it was the <i>fountain</i> of supply of oil to the lamps. Christ at the head ("on the top") of the Church is the true fountain, <i>of</i> whose <i>fulness of the Spirit all we receive grace</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,16);">Jhn 1:16</a>).
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<br><br><b>his seven lamps</b>—united in one stem; so in <a onclick="return mV('Exd',25,32);">Exd 25:32</a>. But in <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,12);">Rev 1:12</a> the seven candlesticks are separate. The Gentile churches will not realize their unity till the Jewish Church as the stem unites all the lamps in one candlestick (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,'16-24');">Rom 11:16-24</a>). The "seven lamps," in <a onclick="return mV('Rev',4,5);">Rev 4:5</a>, are the "seven Spirits of God."
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<br><br><b>seven pipes</b>—feeding tubes, seven apiece from the "bowl" to each lamp (see <i>Margin</i>) [MAURER and CALVIN]; literally, "seven and seven": forty-nine in all. The greater the number of oil-feeding pipes, the brighter the light of the lamps. The explanation in <a onclick="return mV('Zec',4,6);">Zec 4:6</a> is, that man's power by itself can neither retard nor advance God's work, that the real motive-power is God's <i>Spirit.</i> The seven times seven imply the manifold modes by which the Spirit's grace is imparted to the Church in her manifold work of enlightening the world.
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<p id="Zec4_3"><b>3. two olive trees</b>—supplying oil to the bowl. The Holy Ghost, who fills with His fulness Messiah (the <i>anointed:</i> the "bowl"), from whom flow supplies of grace to the Church.
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<br><br><b>by it</b>—literally, "upon it," that is, growing so as somewhat to overtop it. For the explanation of the "two" see <a onclick="return mV('Zec',4,12,14);">Zec 4:12, 14</a>.
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<p id="Zec4_4"><b>4.</b> The prophet is instructed in the truths meant, that we may read them with the greater reverence and attention [CALVIN].
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<p id="Zec4_5"><b>5. Knowest thou not,</b> etc.—Not a reproof of his ignorance, but a stimulus to reflection on the mystery.
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<br><br><b>No, my lord</b>—ingenious confession of ignorance; as a little child he casts himself for instruction at the feet of the Lord.
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<p id="Zec4_6"><b>6. Not by might...but by my Spirit</b>—As the lamps burned continually, supplied with oil from a source (the living olive trees) which man did not make, so Zerubbabel need not be disheartened because of his weakness; for as the work is one to be effected by the living Spirit (compare <a onclick="return mV('Hag',2,5);">Hag 2:5</a>) of God, man's weakness is no obstacle, for God's might will perfect strength out of weakness (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',1,7);">Hsa 1:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',12,10);">2Cr 12:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',11,34);">Hbr 11:34</a>). "Might and power" express human strength of every description, physical, mental, moral. Or, "might" is the strength <i>of many</i> (an "army"); "power," that <i>of one man</i> [PEMBELLUS] God can save, "whether with many, or with them that have no power" (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',14,11);">2Ch 14:11</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('1Sa',14,6);">1Sa 14:6</a>). So in the conversion of sinners ( <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',3,6);">1Cr 3:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',10,4);">2Cr 10:4</a>). "Zerubbabel" is addressed as the chief civil authority in directing the work.
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<p id="Zec4_7"><b>7.</b> All <i>mountain</i>-like obstacles (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',40,4);">Isa 40:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',49,11);">49:11</a>) in <i>Zerubbabel's</i> way shall be removed, so that the crowning top-stone shall be put on, and the completion of the work be acknowledged as wholly of "grace." Antitypically, the antichristian last foe of Israel, the obstacle preventing her establishment in Palestine, about to be crushed before Messiah, is probably meant (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,25);">Jer 51:25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',2,34, 44);">Dan 2:34, 44</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',21,44);">Mat 21:44</a>).
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<br><br><b>bring forth the headstone</b>—Primarily, bring it forth from the place where it was chiselled and give it to the workmen to put on the top of the building. It was customary for chief magistrates to lay the foundation, and also the crowning top-stone (compare <a onclick="return mV('Ezr',3,10);">Ezr 3:10</a>). Antitypically, the reference is to the time when the full number of the spiritual Church shall be completed, and also when "all Israel shall be saved" (compare <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,26);">Rom 11:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',11,40);">Hbr 11:40</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',12,22,23);">12:22-23</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',7,'4-9');">Rev 7:4-9</a>).
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<br><br><b>Grace, grace</b>—The repetition expresses, <i>Grace</i> from first to last (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',26,3);">Isa 26:3</a>, <i>Margin</i>). Thus the Jews are urged to pray perseveringly and earnestly that the same grace which completed it may always preserve it. "Shoutings" of acclamation accompanied the foundation of the literal temple (<a onclick="return mV('Ezr',3,11,13);">Ezr 3:11, 13</a>). So shoutings of "Hosanna" greeted the Saviour in entering Jerusalem (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',21,9);">Mat 21:9</a>), when about to complete the purchase of salvation by His death: His Body being the second temple, or place of God's inhabitation (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',2,20,21);">Jhn 2:20-21</a>). So when the full number of the saints and of Israel is complete, and God shall say, "It is done," then again shall "a great voice of much people in heaven" attribute all to the "grace" of God, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God" (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',19,1,6);">Rev 19:1, 6</a>). <a onclick="return mV('Psa',118,22);">Psa 118:22</a> regards Him as "the headstone of the corner," that is, the <i>foundation</i>-stone. Compare the angels acclamations at His birth, <a onclick="return mV('Luk',2,14);">Luk 2:14</a>. Here it is the <i>top-stone.</i> Messiah is not only the "Author," but also the Finisher (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',12,2);">Hbr 12:2</a>). "Grace" is ascribed "unto it," that is the stone, Messiah. Hence the benediction begins, "The <i>grace</i> of the Lord Jesus Christ" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,14);">2Cr 13:14</a>).
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<p id="Zec4_9"><b>9. Zerubbabel...shall...finish it</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Ezr',6,15);">Ezr 6:15</a>) in the sixth year of Darius' reign.
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<br><br><b>Lord...sent me unto you</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',2,9);">Zec 2:9</a>). The Divine Angel announces that in what He has just spoken, He has been commissioned by God the Father.
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<p id="Zec4_10"><b>10. who...despised...small things</b>—He reproves their ungrateful unbelief, which they felt because of the humble beginning, compared with the greatness of the undertaking; and encourages them with the assurance that their progress in the work, though small, was an earnest of great and final success, because Jehovah's eye is upon Zerubbabel and the work, to support Him with His favor. Contrast, "great is <i>the day</i> of Jezreel" (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',1,11);">Hsa 1:11</a>) with "the day of <i>small</i> things" here.
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<br><br><b>they shall rejoice...<i>with</i> those seven; they <i>are</i> the eyes of the Lord</b>—rather, "they, <i>even</i> those seven eyes of the Lord (compare <a onclick="return mV('Zec',3,9);">Zec 3:9</a>), which...shall rejoice and see (that is, rejoicingly see) the plummet (literally, the 'stone of tin') in the hand of Zerubbabel" [MOORE]; the plummet in his hand indicating that the work is going forward to its completion. The <i>Hebrew</i> punctuation, however, favors <i>English Version,</i> of which the sense is, They who incredulously "despised" such "small" beginnings of the work as are made now, shall rejoicingly see its going on to completion under Zerubbabel, "with (<i>the aid of</i>) those seven," namely, the "seven eyes upon one stone" (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',3,9);">Zec 3:9</a>): which are explained, "They are the eyes of the Lord which," etc. [PEMBELLUS]. So differently do men and Jehovah regard the "small" beginnings of God's work (<a onclick="return mV('Ezr',3,12);">Ezr 3:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hag',2,3);">Hag 2:3</a>). Men "despised" the work in its early stage: God rejoicingly regards it, and shall continue to do so.
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<br><br><b>run to and fro,</b> etc.—Nothing in the whole earth escapes the eye of Jehovah, so that He can ward off all danger from His people, come from what quarter it may, in prosecuting His work (<a onclick="return mV('Pro',15,3);">Pro 15:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,9);">1Cr 16:9</a>).
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<p id="Zec4_11"><b>11, 12.</b> Zechariah three times (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',4,4,11,12);">Zec 4:4, 11-12</a>) asks as to the two olives before he gets an answer; the question becomes more minute each time. What he at first calls "two olive trees," he afterwards calls "branches," as on closer looking he observes that the "branches" of the trees are the channels through which a continual flow of oil dropped into the bowl of the lamps (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',4,2);">Zec 4:2</a>), and that this is the purpose for which the two olive trees stand beside the candlestick. Primarily, the "two" refer to Joshua and Zerubbabel. God, says AUBERLEN, at each of the transition periods of the world's history has sent great men to guide the Church. So the two witnesses shall appear before the destruction of Antichrist. Antitypically, "the two anointed ones" (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',4,14);">Zec 4:14</a>) are the twofold supports of the Church, the civil power (answering to Zerubbabel) and the ecclesiastical (answering to Joshua, the high priest), which in the restored Jewish polity and temple shall "stand by," that is, minister to "the Lord of the whole earth," as He shall be called in the day that He sets up His throne in Jerusalem (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',14,9);">Zec 14:9</a>; <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Dan',2,44);">Dan 2:44</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',11,15);">Rev 11:15</a>). Compare the description of the offices of the "priests" and the "prince" (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',49,23);">Isa 49:23</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',44,'1-');">Eze 44:1 - 46:24</a>). As in <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Rev',11,3,4);">Rev 11:3-4</a>, the "two witnesses" are identified with the two olive trees and the two candlesticks. WORDSWORTH explains them to mean the Law and the Gospel: the two Testaments that <i>witness</i> in the Church for the truth of God. But this is at variance with the sense here, which requires Joshua and Zerubbabel to be primarily meant. So Moses (the prophet and lawgiver) and Aaron (the high priest) ministered to the Lord among the covenant-people at the exodus; Ezekiel (the priest) and Daniel (a ruler) in the Babylonian captivity; so it shall be in restored Israel. Some think Elijah will appear again (compare the transfiguration, <a onclick="return mV('Mat',17,3,11);">Mat 17:3, 11</a>, with <a onclick="return mV('Mal',4,4,5);">Mal 4:4-5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,21);">Jhn 1:21</a>) with Moses. <a onclick="return mV('Rev',11,6);">Rev 11:6</a>, which mentions the very miracles performed by Elijah and Moses (shutting heaven so as not to rain, and turning water into blood), favors this (compare <a onclick="return mV('Exd',7,19);">Exd 7:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ki',17,1);">1Ki 17:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',4,25);">Luk 4:25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jam',5,16,17);">Jam 5:16-17</a>). The period is the same, "three years and six months"; the scene also is in Israel (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',11,8);">Rev 11:8</a>), "where our Lord was crucified." It is supposed that for the first three and a half years of the hebdomad (<a onclick="return mV('Dan',9,'20-27');">Dan 9:20-27</a>), God will be worshipped in the temple; in the latter three and a half years, Antichrist will break the covenant (<a onclick="return mV('Dan',9,27);">Dan 9:27</a>), and set himself up in the temple to be worshipped as God (<a onclick="return mV('2Th',2,4);">2Th 2:4</a>). The witnesses prophesy the former three and a half years, while corruptions prevail and faith is rare (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',18,8);">Luk 18:8</a>); then they are slain and remain dead three and a half years. Probably, besides individual witnesses and literal years, there is a fulfilment in long periods and general witnesses, such as the Church and the Word, the civil and religious powers so far as they have witnessed for God. So "the beast" in Revelation answers to the civil power of the apostasy; "the false prophet" to the spiritual power. Man needs the <i>priest</i> to atone for guilt, and the <i>prophet-king</i> to teach holiness with kingly authority. These two typically united in Melchisedek were divided between two till they meet in Messiah, the Antitype. <a onclick="return mV('Zec',6,'11-13');">Zec 6:11-13</a> accords with this. The Holy Spirit in this His twofold power of applying to man the grace of the <i>atonement,</i> and that of <i>sanctification,</i> must in one point of view be meant by the two olive trees which supply the bowl at the top of the candlestick (that is, Messiah at the head of the Church); for it is He who filled Jesus with all the fulness of His unction (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',3,34);">Jhn 3:34</a>). But this does not exclude the primary application to <i>Joshua and Zerubbabel,</i> "anointed" (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',4,14);">Zec 4:14</a>) with grace to minister to the Jewish Church: and so applicable to the twofold supports of the Church which are anointed with the Spirit, the <i>prince</i> and the <i>priest,</i> or <i>minister.</i>
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<p id="Zec4_12"><b>12. through</b>—literally, "by the hand of," that is, by the agency of.
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<br><br><b>branches</b>—literally, "ears"; so the olive branches are called, because as ears are full of grain, so the olive branches are full of olives.
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<br><br><b>golden <i>oil</i></b>—literally, "gold," that is, gold-like liquor.
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<br><br><b>out of themselves</b>—Ordinances and ministers are channels of grace, not the grace itself. The supply comes not from a dead reservoir of oil, but through living olive trees (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',52,8);">Psa 52:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',12,1);">Rom 12:1</a>) fed by God.
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<p id="Zec4_13"><b>13. Knowest thou not</b>—God would awaken His people to zeal in learning His truth.
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<p id="Zec4_14"><b>14. anointed ones</b>—literally, "sons of oil" (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',5,1);">Isa 5:1</a>, <i>Margin</i>). Joshua the high priest, and Zerubbabel the civil ruler, must first be anointed with grace themselves, so as to be the instruments of furnishing it to others (compare <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',2,20,27);">1Jo 2:20, 27</a>).
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