Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit

Zechariah 4:1-14

I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”

So 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 Almighty.

Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.

“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.

“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”

What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil? “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”

The vision in this chapter is interrupted by a word from God to Zerubbabel. telling him that as he started the rebuilding of the Temple, he will complete it. Verse 6 unlocks the meaning of both word and vision: everything that is achieved is by the spirit of God.

The lampstand stands for the Temple and faithful Jewish worshippers. Like a city set on a hill, their light shines out for God and 'cannot be hidden'.

The olive trees are two men chosen by God to serve him. The roles of priest and prince go together here. Jointly they supply what God's people need to shine with god's light in the world. The New Testament sees Jesus as the fulfillment of this priest-king ideal.

Why?

Not by might nor by power, but by God's Spirit. No matter what we pay effort if there is not the blessing of the Lord it is in vain.

There are seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth, the Lord knows everything in the world. No one can hide from the Lord.

This vision shows the coming Lord, Jesus Christ.

生命的事奉的金燈臺，橄欖油要壓搾付出代價。

How?

Praise to the Lord and focus on the Lord for Jesus Christ is our hope and my savior only.