Main Idea: The all-seeing God will accomplish His plans, even despite small beginnings.
A Look at the Text:
Zechariah’s visions of the night continue with a vision of a golden lampstand. The lampstand had a bowl on the top and seven individual lamps on it, and there were two olive trees nearby (Zech. 4:1-2).
This puzzled the prophet. But when Zechariah asked the angel about the vision, before he was told what the lampstand or trees represented, he was told that it was a message for Zerubbabel, the Judean governor of the returned exiles:
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” (Zech. 4:6).
God was assuring them He would bring His plans to pass through the power of His Spirit.
Even a great mountain would become a plain before them (Zech. 4:7).
Zerubbabel was assured that just as he had laid the foundation of the Lord’s house, he would bring it to completion (Zech. 4:9). Even more, all of those who despised the day of small things would rejoice when they saw Zerubbabel getting back to work (Zech. 4:10).
Then, Zechariah was told the meaning of the vision itself. The seven lamps were representative of the eyes of the Lord that look throughout the earth, and the olive trees were two anointed ones, probably Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest (Zech. 4:10-14).
Bringing it Home:
Discouragement is a battle people frequently face. Sometimes it begins as a thought. Sometimes it comes because of setbacks or opposition. In Zerubbabel’s day, it was probably a bit of everything.
This vision was given to Zechariah to remind all of them that accomplishing the Lord’s will wasn’t going to happen through human power or might, but would be the product of God’s Spirit.
This in mind, they could be encouraged that it was sure to happen. The Lord, whose eyes go throughout the whole earth, would bring His plans to pass. All of those who despised the day of small things would see the temple built.
While the context of this vision is very specific, being for a specific people at a specific point in redemptive history, as God-breathed Scripture, it ought to encourage us today nonetheless. We should believe in God and His ability when we are discouraged, facing big mountains while seeing little progress.
Many people are very familiar with the psalm that warns:
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain (Psa. 127:1).
This message is true from a positive angle too:
If the Lord builds the house, your labor is not in vain! If the Lord watches over the city, remaining awake is not in vain!
If what we are seeking to do is actually God’s work, then we can trust that no matter how small it starts, He will bring it to pass. It will happen not through human might or power but through the empowerment and help of His Spirit.
Challenge:
When I am discouraged, do I focus on the mighty mountain or the mighty God who can level any mountain?