Bible Commentaries

Zechariah 4:1. The angel that talked with me came again. This was Michael the archangel, who had before appeared to the prophet, as mentioned in Zechariah 1:8-9.

Zechariah 4:2. A candlestick—and seven lamps. The bowl was full of oil; the branches were tubes, as described in Exodus 37:17. These were the joyful illuminations of the sanctuary, and spiritually designated the sevenfold operations, or gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, whose temple is full of light, glory, and grace.

Zechariah 4:6. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. The prophets preached, and the Lord so stirred up the people that the great mountain of opposition in the carnal jews, who said the time is not yet come to build, and the threats of war without, from the Persian governors, could not oppose the good and glorious work of restoring the temple, and preparing a house for the Lord.—In like manner Christ sent out his apostles, without power, to build his spiritual temple, and fill the earth with his glory. Yet, though a great mountain of guilt, of unbelief, of fear, of carnal propensities, of persecuting relatives, and wicked men, may stand in the way of conversion, they shall all be applained by the powerful workings of the Holy Spirit.

Zechariah 4:14. These are the two anointed ones. The holy oil was poured on the head of the priest, and on the prince. God gave his Spirit to them, with an unction from heaven. Long life also was promised to the prince, even for forty nine years and upwards, to finish the temple. Surely this proves the truth of prophecy, and the care of heaven over the church. The Lord’s two witnesses, prophesying in sackcloth, symbolize with these two anointed ones. Revelation 11:3.

REFLECTIONS.

The preseding chapter was full of consolation to the priest; this is full of comfort to the prince. The vision of the golden candlestick and the two olivetrees implied, that Jerusalem and the temple should be restored by the divine assistance, and by the care of Joshua the highpriest, and of Zerubbabel the governor, who are here called the two olivetrees, and the two sons of oil, or the two anointed of the Lord.