Zechariah 4 Commentary

Zechariah 4 Commentary

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Chapter four hosts a couple iconic statements. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. And, “Who dares despise the day of small things?”

The “small things” in question here are a reference to the construction of the temple that looked like a joke. The saint is reminded of the real builder of the temple whose beginning was equally small. “He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. Isaiah 53.

The two trees beside the golden lampstand represent two anointed servants of the LORD, Joshua and Zerubbabel. The priest and the king, hence foreshadowing the royal priesthood function of the Messiah. Psalm 110.

Just like Joshua needed to be cleansed by Heaven and clothed afresh to be clean, here we see that Zerubbabel’s work is specially empowered to flourish. Yes, it will be done but not by human might (military power) nor by power (human effort).

The task at hand is the construction of the temple. The scripture has in mind the construction of God’s dwelling place. It cannot be done by a human being. As great as Solomon’s temple was, even he, Solomon, knew it wasn’t up to him to build the LORD a dwelling place.

“But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Second Chronicles 6. And Isaiah would later put it this way, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?

Nevertheless, the scripture remains true. “When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. Second Samuel 7.

It is easy to tell that the scripture is talking about the Son. Check the reference to His government – a reign without an end. Then ponder the blessing of dominion as per the original mandate. Genesis 1 verse 28. All references to rule, reign, government, freedom, or leadership can be traced to the blessing of dominion. Remember the triad blessing: Increase in number, prosper, and have dominion.

We can see that the advent of the Messiah is very close. The New Testament is in sight! We cannot wait! And when we are there, we shall rule with the Son; not without the Son!

For now, the prophet has his own environment and people to contend with. Let not the people despise the construction effort. Zerubbabel will complete the work. The saint can draw inspiration from the thought that the Christian walk is specially powered. Heaven mocks the enemy (mountains) in an act that cheers the saint forward. “What art thou, oh great mountain.” It is a message that the LORD thunders to obliterate the saint’s “great mountain”.

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