"What do you see?" he asked. "I see a solid gold lampstand," I replied, "with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps. “What do you see?” he asked.This question is posed by the angel to Zechariah, emphasizing the importance of spiritual vision and understanding. In biblical context, visions are often used by God to convey messages to His prophets. This question invites Zechariah to engage with the divine revelation actively, similar to how God often asks His prophets to articulate their visions, as seen with Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 1:11-13). “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied,
The lampstand, or menorah, is a significant symbol in Jewish worship, originally found in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple (Exodus 25:31-40). Made of pure gold, it represents the light of God’s presence and guidance. Gold signifies purity and divinity, indicating the holy nature of the vision. The lampstand is also a type of Christ, who is the light of the world (John 8:12). “with a bowl at the top
The bowl serves as a reservoir for oil, ensuring a continuous supply to the lamps. This imagery suggests the provision and sustenance of God’s Spirit, which empowers and enlightens His people. The bowl's position at the top indicates the source of divine provision, reminiscent of the Holy Spirit's role in the life of believers (Zechariah 4:6). and seven lamps on it,
The number seven often symbolizes completeness and perfection in the Bible, reflecting God’s perfect work and presence. The seven lamps may represent the fullness of God’s Spirit, as seen in the sevenfold Spirit of God mentioned in Revelation 4:5. This completeness is essential for the spiritual illumination and guidance of God’s people. with seven spouts to the lamps.
The seven spouts or channels ensure that each lamp receives a steady supply of oil, symbolizing the continuous and abundant provision of the Holy Spirit. This imagery underscores the idea that God’s Spirit is sufficient and ever-present, enabling His people to shine brightly in a dark world. The meticulous design reflects God’s attention to detail and His provision for His people’s spiritual needs. Persons / Places / Events 1. ZechariahA prophet of the post-exilic period, Zechariah is the recipient of this vision. His role is to encourage the Israelites in rebuilding the temple and to convey God's messages. 2. AngelThe angel serves as a divine messenger, guiding Zechariah through the vision and providing explanations. 3. LampstandA central object in the vision, the lampstand represents God's presence and the light of His truth. It is reminiscent of the menorah in the tabernacle and temple. 4. Seven LampsThese symbolize completeness and perfection, often associated with God's Spirit and His work. 5. Bowl and SpoutsThe bowl holds oil, which is essential for the lamps to burn, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's provision and empowerment. Teaching Points God's Provision and EmpowermentThe vision of the lampstand with a continuous supply of oil signifies that God provides the necessary resources for His work. Believers are reminded to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. The Light of God's PresenceThe lampstand symbolizes God's presence among His people. Christians are called to be vessels of His light, reflecting His truth and love in a dark world. Completeness in God's PlanThe number seven represents completeness. God's plans are perfect and complete, and He invites us to trust in His sovereign design for our lives and His kingdom. Encouragement in RebuildingJust as Zechariah's vision encouraged the Israelites to rebuild the temple, believers are encouraged to participate in building God's kingdom, knowing that He is with them. Symbolism of the Holy SpiritThe oil in the vision represents the Holy Spirit. Believers are reminded of the importance of being filled with the Spirit to effectively carry out God's work. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the vision of the lampstand in Zechariah 4:2 encourage you to rely on God's provision in your daily life? 2. In what ways can you be a light in your community, reflecting the presence of God as symbolized by the lampstand? 3. How does understanding the completeness of God's plan, as represented by the number seven, impact your trust in His timing and purposes? 4. What parallels can you draw between the rebuilding of the temple in Zechariah's time and the building of God's kingdom today? 5. How can you ensure that you are continually filled with the Holy Spirit, as symbolized by the oil in the vision, to effectively serve in God's work? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 25:31-40The design of the lampstand in Zechariah's vision is reminiscent of the menorah described in the instructions for the tabernacle, emphasizing continuity in God's plan and presence. Revelation 1:12-20The imagery of lampstands is used to describe the churches, highlighting the role of believers as bearers of God's light in the world. Matthew 5:14-16Jesus calls His followers the light of the world, connecting the concept of the lampstand to the mission of the church. People Zechariah, ZerubbabelPlaces JerusalemTopics Behold, Belonging, Bowl, Candlestick, Channels, Cup, Gold, Lamps, Lampstand, Lamp-stand, Lights, Light-support, Lips, Pipes, Seeing, Seest, Seven, Spouts, Thereof, Thereon, Twice, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Zechariah 4:2 5373 lamp and lampstand Zechariah 4:1-7 4112 angels, messengers Zechariah 4:1-14 1431 prophecy, OT methods
4416 branch Library September 2. "Who Hath Despised the Day of Small Things" (Zech. Iv. 10).
"Who hath despised the day of small things" (Zech. iv. 10). The oak comes out of the acorn, the eagle out of that little egg in the nest, the harvest comes out of the seed; and so the glory of the coming age is all coming out of the Christ life now, even as the majesty of His kingdom was all wrapped up that night in the babe of Bethlehem. Oh, let us take Him for all our life. Let us be united to His person and His risen body. Let us know what it is to say, "The Lord is for the body and the body is …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Founder and Finisher of the Temple
'The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it.'--ZECHARIAH iv. 9. I am afraid that Zerubbabel is very little more than a grotesque name to most Bible-readers, so I may be allowed a word of explanation as to him and as to the original force of my text. He was a prince of the blood royal of Israel, and the civil leader of the first detachment of returning exiles. With Joshua, the high priest, he came, at the head of a little company, to Palestine, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Source of Power
'And the Angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold, a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps which are upon the top thereof: 3. And two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4. So I answered and spake to the Angel that talked with …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Independence of Christianity
Now, as this is true in the general of the great acts of God, this is equally true in the minutiae of them. It is true that God has a church, that that church has been redeemed and will be preserved for his glory, and it is equally true that everything that is done to the church, in the church, or for the church either with the permission or by the power of God, is for God's glory, as well as for the church's weal. You will notice, in reading Scripture, that whenever God has blessed the church, he …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 Encouragement for the Depressed
"For who hath despised the day of small things?"--Zechariah 4:10. ZECHARIAH WAS ENGAGED in the building of the temple. When its foundations were laid, it struck everybody as being a very small edifice compared with the former glorious structure of Solomon. The friends of the enterprise lamented that it should be so small; the foes of it rejoiced and uttered strong expressions of contempt. Both friends and foes doubted whether, even on that small scale, the structure would ever be completed. They …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915 The Power
"Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."--Zech. iv. 6. J. Tauler, 1361. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Rest from longing and desire O thou weary heart! Dost thou ween thy choice has been Not the lower but the higher, Thine the better part? And therefore dost thou long with bitter longing From the day dawn to the night. For the holiness, the rest of His beloved Who walk with Him in white? Thou art wearied with the striving and the yearning For the crown that thou wouldst …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) Conversion --Human Agency In
What part and responsibility pertain to the human will in this matter? Before we leave the subject of conversion, it is important that we consider and understand this question also. For on this point also grievous and dangerous views and practices prevail. Human nature tends to extremes. Here too, there is a tendency to go too far, either in the one direction or the other. There are those, on the one hand, who virtually and practically make this change of heart and of nature a human work. They …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church Gifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely Religious, and Pertaining to the Conscience.
Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters purely Religious, and pertaining to the Conscience. Since God hath assumed to himself the power and Dominion of the Conscience, who alone can rightly instruct and govern it, therefore it is not lawful [1226] for any whosoever, by virtue of any authority or principality they bear in the government of this world, to force the consciences of others; and therefore all killing, banishing, fining, imprisoning, and other such things which are inflicted …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Zechariah 4:2 NIVZechariah 4:2 NLTZechariah 4:2 ESVZechariah 4:2 NASBZechariah 4:2 KJV
Zechariah 4:2 Commentaries
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