November 04, 2024 | Be God's Light
The Two Olive Trees & Call to Complete Temple
Scripture: Zechariah 4(NIV)
1 Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. 2 He asked me, “What do you see?”
I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. 3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”
4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?”
“No, my lord,” I replied.
6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
7 “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
11 Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”
12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”
13 He replied, “Do you not know what these are?”
“No, my lord,” I said.
14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”
Devotional
Along with Haggai, Zechariah was another prophet used by God to encourage the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Both men were encouraging Zerubbabel to resume the decade-long pause in the reconstruction. He did so, and they finished the new temple just four years later.
God’s reminder to Zerubbabel is timeless: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” We might like to take credit for our good works and great efforts. But only God gets the glory.
The symbolism of this chapter is a stirring reminder of that. Verse 10 tells us that the seven lamps are the “eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth.” God is everywhere and over everything. The olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand are probably Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the priest. They were the political and spiritual leaders of the Jewish people but were subservient to the power and presence of God Himself.
Five centuries later, Jesus said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:4-6). This is a humble reminder that we are not in charge; only God is.
Jesus followed this up with what happens when we fully serve and follow Him: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:7-8). There it is. All to God’s glory.
The reconstruction of the destroyed temple in Jerusalem was quite an undertaking. As they were working on it again, they were reminded that every timber and stone, every doorpost and window frame, every basin and lampstand all were made possible by God’s power and gave glory to God’s presence.
What are some of the accomplishments of your life for which you need to give glory to God?
Poem
Child
Where are you, Child?
Kicking against the goads?
Imprisoned by your own choices?
Drowning in despair?
Relying upon yourself?
Your strength?
Your intellect?
Your connections?
I will give you rest, Child
Your labors are in vain
Come unto me
Not by your might
Not by your power
But by my easy yoke
But by my light burden
But by my Spirit, says the LORD
