CRITICAL NOTES.]
Zechariah 4:11. What] A question put three times, Zechariah 4:4), this, and Zechariah 4:12; varied at each time and at last minute. Two olive trees] Supposed to be the anointed priesthood and royalty by some (by others, the two Churches, the Jewish and Gentile), or “Christ’s priesthood and monarchy—confirmed by Zechariah 6:13. Olives produce oil; oil supplies light to the candlestick, and all the oil of the Holy Spirit flows, by the medium of his Messiahship in its twofold functions of King and Priest, into the Candlestick of the Universal Church” [Words.].
Zechariah 4:12. Branches] Lit. ears, from resemblance to ears of grain. “As ears are full of grain, so olive branches are full of olives.” Golden oil] Gold-like liquor in brightness and purity.
Zechariah 4:13. Answered] The angel is anxious to awaken attention.
Zechariah 4:14. Two anointed] Lit. sons of oil, a symbol of Joshua and Zerubbabel, anointed and installed into office by oil; and of the royal and priestly office of Christ. Stand] The posture of servants waiting to receive orders from their masters. “If, then, the candlestick had two olive-trees by its side, yielding oil in such copious abundance, that every one of the seven lamps received its supply through seven pipes, it could never fail to have sufficient oil for a full and brilliant light. This was what was new in the visionary candlestick; and the meaning was this hat the Lord in future would bestow upon his congregation the organs of his Spirit, and maintain them in such direct connection with it, that it would be able to let its light shine with sevenfold brilliancy” [Keil].
HOMILETICS
THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK.—Zechariah 4:11-14
The candlestick of pure gold represented the Church of God. There is always some distinctive peculiarity between the material emblem and the spiritual reality; a seeming incongruity which is in reality a distinguishing glory, e.g. “a lamb in the midst of the throne;” so here, such a candlestick was never seen except in vision. The lamps in the temple were supplied by the priests in the ordinary way, but this in a supernatural way. The mystery was explained to the prophet as representing Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the prince, who were endued with the Holy Spirit, and raised up to rule, intercede, and build up the temple. All authority and success depended upon God; they were acknowledged as a combined and eminent type of Jesus Christ, who is priest upon the throne, builds the spiritual temple, and who alone shall bear the glory.
I. The seat of spiritual light. The Church contains the knowledge, holiness, and consolation to be found in this sinful world. Worldly men are strangers to this light; wander carelessly into error and destruction; and even the wisest and most diligent never discovered a light sufficient to guide them aright This light is not inherent, or all would have it alike, as the light of conscience and reason. Not merely the light of the old dispensation, but the light of the glorious gospel, which is fixed in this Church, which there diffuses satisfaction, direction, and holiness. Its rays thrown around, invite and attract the world; but they must come into the Church to enjoy it. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
II.The source of spiritual light. It comes from the Lord Jesus, its glorious source, in whom all fulness dwells. The Holy Spirit is the oil of gladness, resting on Christ, and freely given by him to his Church. It is supplied not by any natural or artificial means, as the oil in the vision was not pressed from the olive, nor poured into the lamps by the help of man; but flowed spontaneously, abundantly, constantly, from a living source—so the communication of Divine grace from Christ, the living spring.
III. The communication of light. It is by means of a golden candlestick.
1. This may apply:—First, to the glorious doctrines of the gospel, by which the light of the knowledge of God is displayed in Jesus Christ. Second, to the ordinances of the gospel, by which light and consolation are dispensed in the Church, and which attract the notice of the world. Seven branches turning every way, all lit. Christ so places his word, ordinances, and ministers, that no part of the Church is destitute of life, and that the whole will shine as the light of the world. Third, to the character of the saints, shining in the effulgence of holiness; “ye are the light of the world” (cf. Isaiah 60:1).
2. Whether allusion be to either or all of these, the emblem will apply—a golden candlestick. First, formed of valuable material. The doctrines and ordinances of the gospel are more precious than gold: the law of thy mouth is better than thousands of gold and silver. The saints, precious sons of Zion, are comparable to fine gold. The candlestick is formed by infinite skill, and wrought with most exquisite workmanship. Second, gold denotes brightness, purity, splendour, and glory. What refulgent purity in the doctrines, in the ordinances of the gospel, and in the lives of consistent Christians! Third, gold denotes durability. It is an indestructible metal. Lead can be melted until wasted away; but gold, expose it to what heat you may, retains its weight, loses nothing by alloy, and escapes uninjured. The doctrines of the gospel, the Church, and the characters of holiness in saints, are incorruptible; shall endure to the end of the world, and never be consumed, by persecution or hell itself. In closing—
1. We are led to admire the wonderful provision of Divine grace. Worldly men despise our secret communications and deride our expectations, and we ourselves wonder how supplies come. But the mysterious olive pours in its rich abundance.
2. We see the reason why the gospel and the Church live in spite of opposition. They depend upon a living source. Earth and hell cannot cut the golden pipes, or turn aside the stream.
3. We are reminded that no human power or effort can do good to men, except the Holy Spirit works by them. But the Spirit works by the meanest instrument, and needs not the countenance of mighty monarchs, or the aid of learning and oratory. The excellency of the power is his own.
4. We are taught to distinguish between grace and the gospel. The oil is distinct from the pipes, though conveyed through them. Ordinances are but pipes and means, not to be rested in; yet golden pipes, very valuable, and employed to convey the blessing Pray for a rich supply of the Holy Spirit [The New Evangelist].
HOMILETIC HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
1. The question (Zechariah 4:12);
2. the confession (Zechariah 4:13);
3. the answer (Zechariah 4:14). The angel returned no answer (only asked a question) to the question of the prophet, to invite closer attention, and prompt a more definite question [cf. Pusey].
Zechariah 4:14. Two anointed ones. Blessed in themselves, and the means of blessing others—empty themselves (Zechariah 4:12). The unction of the Holy One must abide in us before we can furnish grace to others (cf. John 3:20-27). “Joshua and Zerubbabel shadowed forth what was united in Christ, and so in their several offices they might be included in the symbol of the olive-tree. They could not exhaust it; for men who, having served God in their generation, were to pass away, could not be alone intended in a vision, which describes the abiding existence of the Church. Christ is both High Priest and Eternal King. In both ways he supplies to us the light which he brought. From him flow unceasingly piety and righteousness to the Church, and it never lacks the heavenly light. The oil is expressed into tubes; thence passed through tubes, into the vessel which contains the lamps: to designate the various suppliers of light, which, the nearer they are to the effluence of the oil, the more they resemble him by whom they are appointed to so Divine an office. The seven lamps are the manifest Churches, distinct in place, but most closely bound together by the consent of one faith, and by the bond of charity. For although the Church is one, yet it is distinct according to the manifold variety of nations. But the lamps are set in a circle, that the oil of one may flow more readily into others and it, in turn, may receive from others their superabundance, to set forth the communion of love and the indissoluble community of faith” [Pusey].
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 4
Zechariah 4:11. Olive. No tree is more frequently mentioned by ancient authors, nor more highly honoured by ancient nations. By the Greeks it was dedicated to Minerva, and even employed in crowning Jove, Apollo, and Hercules, as well as emperors, philosophers, and orators, and all whom the people delighted to honour. By the Romans also it was highly honoured. Columella describes it as “the chief of trees.” It is not wonderful that almost all the ancient authors, from the time of Homer, so frequently mention it, and that, as Horace says, to win it seemed the sole aim men had in life[Carm. Zechariah 1:7]. See Tristam, Nat. Hist. of the Bible; Thomson, Ld. and Bk.
Zechariah 4:14. Two. Christ’s witnesses, in remarkable times of the Church, have appeared in pairs; as Moses and Aaron, the inspired civil and religious authorities; Caleb and Joshua; Ezekiel the priest and Daniel the prophet; Zerubbabel and Joshua (cf. Revelation 11:3-4) [D. Brown, D.D.].