Read Zechariah 4
Background: God gave Zechariah yet another vision to encourage the people that He indeed was going to restore the Jerusalem and the temple: the vision of the lampstand and two olive trees. Zechariah was unclear as to what they meant. The lampstand, of course, meant that the temple would once again be functioning. Included in the explanation was a promise that Zerubbabel would be used of God as the leader to accomplish this. When he asked about the two trees, God explained that there were two leaders - the other most likely Joshua the High Priest whom we have already discussed. Since the lamp was "powered" by olive oil, the picture was of unending supply - that the fire would never be extinguished.
Key Verses: 6 Then 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 of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
Thoughts: God made it clear that He was not relying on Zechariah, Zerubbabel, Joshua, or any other person to accomplish this work; the Holy Spirit would be present through it all, just as He had at creation. He also went on to address some murmuring that had been going on that the new temple and city were not as glorious as the old - that they were a small thing. They were not seeing things properly; never call what God is doing a small thing.
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