Zechariah 4 The Two Olive Trees

Zechariah 4 has to be one of the most interesting chapters in the Bible. It starts off with the prophet startled out of his drowsy day-dreaming state. The text says, "An angel talked with me again and woke me like a man who is a awakened out of his sleep."  It is possible that the events in chapter three, where Satan is accusing the high priest, and God is defending him, just completely wiped him out.  Can you imagine this court scene?  The accuser is always whispering lies in our ears and hearts, trying to keep us from the truth that we are a brand plucked from the fire, and our God will fight or us! There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God…nothing!

 

Once awake in chapter four the prophet sees this large bowl of olive oil with seven candles inside these candle holders, that have tubes (picture maple syrup tubes going from the trees to the barrels) that connect to the two olive trees standing on both sides of the huge bowl that is sitting on a tall pedestal.  So to recap, you have this bowl of olive oil, with two olive trees, that have tubes that go from the trees to the bowl, keeping the bowl full of oil, so that the candles can perpetually keep burning. I think the wicks from the candles dip into the bowl, thus keeping the candles fully fueled.  Can you picture this? Well this is what the prophet saw and when he did, he was scratching his head!  What in the world does this mean?!

This is where it gets good!  First, understand what is going on here. In the previous book, Haggai, God sparked enthusiasm in the hearts of Governor Zerrubabel and High Priest Jeshua to complete the rebuilding of the Temple. But several months later (not sure of how long—two months to two years), these men were totally depressed again. So the Angel of the Lord gives Zechariah this picture of the two olive trees and olive bowl and seven candles. This represents God perpetual and everlasting power, strength, and sustenance. If we will stay connected to the continual flow of God's grace, we will be empowered to overcome any obstacle in life. Watch what happens next in the text: Once the angel describes this available and continual flow of God's power that is at our disposal, he says, "This is the Word of the Lord to depressed (italics mine) Zerrubabel, "Not by might, nor by power (the help of powerful people…mine), but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."

 

If we would just lay aside our own earthly goals and pursuits and recognize that in our own strength we cannot build anything, then God can begin his holy work and do what is beyond what we can think or imagine.  The announcement that GM has declared bankruptcy only demonstrates these truths to a higher level. It is not by strength, by might, nor bail outs that this country will be revived! But by God's continual flow of grace, through men and women who stay connected—on their humble knees.  And time is of the essence.

 

Ok, here comes the best part! The text reads next: "Who are you oh great mountain?"  Don't you love it? God sees these two men who are totally depressed and defeated because no one will listen; no one will help with the work. The Temple is laid wasted, while everyone lives in their paneled houses--wood they stole from the treasuries that were set aside for the work of the Lord. And God steps in and says to them, "This great mountain is going to be leveled!"  And then God says, "And Zerubbabel who will started this building, will finish it; he laid the first stone and he will lay the last and when he does, he will shout to the top of his lungs, saying, GRACE, GRACE TO IT!  It is all about grace when we want to move forward in our lives; when we want to accomplish anything great for God; to see our families restored and redeemed; it is all about grace, and in order to receive grace, we must humble ourselves and the God of all grace will give it! He rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, and he will lift you up in due time…just as he did with depressed Zerubbabel and Jeshua.