Matthew Henry Commentary Zechariah 4
Matthew Henry Commentary
Zechariah 4
Matthew Henry Commentary
Zechariah 4
"And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have seen, and, behold, a candlestick all of gold, with its bowl upon the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are upon the top thereof; and two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. And I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel [thou shalt become] a plain; and he shall bring forth the top stone with shoutings of Grace, grace, unto it." — Zechariah 4:1-7 (ASV)
The prophet's spirit was willing to attend, but the flesh was weak. We should implore God that whenever He speaks to us, He would awaken us, and we should then stir ourselves up. The church is a golden candlestick, or lamp-bearer, set up to enlighten this dark world and to hold forth the light of Divine revelation. Two olive trees were seen, one on each side of the candlestick, from which oil flowed into the bowl without ceasing.
God accomplishes His gracious purposes concerning His church without any human skill or effort; sometimes He makes use of His instruments, yet He does not need them. This represented the abundance of Divine grace for enlightening and making holy the ministers and members of the church, a grace that cannot be obtained or hindered by any human power. The vision assures us that the good work of building the temple would be brought to a successful conclusion.
The difficulty is represented as a great mountain. But all difficulties will vanish, and all objections will be overcome. 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.
"Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? for these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; [these are] the eyes of Jehovah, which run to and fro through the whole earth." — Zechariah 4:8-10 (ASV)
The exact fulfillment of Scripture prophecies is a convincing proof of their divine origin. Though the instruments are weak and unlikely, yet God often chooses such to bring about great things by them.
Do not let the dawning light be despised; it will shine more and more to the perfect day. Those who despaired of finishing the work, will rejoice when they see Zerubbabel giving directions about what to do, and taking care that the work is done.
It is a comfort to us that the same all-wise, almighty Providence, which governs the earth, is in particular concerned with the church. All who have the plummet in their hands must look up to the eyes of the Lord, maintain constant regard for Divine Providence, and act in dependence on its guidance and in submission to its arrangements.
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. (Zechariah 4:11–14)
"Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered the second time, and said unto him, What are these two olive-branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that empty the golden [oil] out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." — Zechariah 4:11-14 (ASV)
Zechariah desires to know what the two olive trees are. Zerubbabel and Joshua, this prince and this priest, were endowed 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 foreshadowed 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. Christ does so spiritually. Christ is not only the Messiah, the Anointed One Himself, but He is the Good Olive to His church; and from His fullness 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 Savior, supplies from that fullness which has until now been sufficient for all His saints, according to their trials and duties.
Let us wait on Him in His ordinances, desiring to be wholly sanctified in body, soul, and spirit.
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