Zechariah 4:1-14

4:2-3 | The lampstand was the seven-branched menorah used in the tabernacle (Ex. 25:31-40). The spouted bowl on top held enough oil to keep the seven lamps burning. The ripened fruit of the two olive trees would perpetually drip into the bowl and flow through the channels to each of the individual lamps. In this picture of ceaseless supply, the oil ever flows and the lamp is constantly lit.

4:6-7 | God’s people only gain victory through His power (Hosea 1:7; 2 Cor. 4:7), channeled through His Spirit, represented by the oil for the lamp. By His enabling, the temple would be completed (bring forth the capstone) and every obstacle to rebuilding would be removed. Military might and manpower could not accomplish the task, but Spirit-empowered workers under the direction of Zerubbabel would.

4:7-10 | The first statement to the great mountain issues a challenge to whatever opposes God’s might. The latter statement opposes anyone who disdains small things (Neh. 4:2-4). In both cases, divine truth and perspective are what ultimately matter. Grace, grace to it! Simultaneously extols God’s freely given blessing on the work now complete and implores Him to continue to look with favor on the temple and all that it represented.