ZECHARIAH 4: 1-5
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
(The Lampstand in The Fifth Vision)
[Isa. 9:1-7; 60:1-3; 62:1-2]
These visions supplement one another beautifully . The previous vision of the removal of the filthy garments [by the pre-incarnate Christ] indicating how moral obstacles were to be removed from God’s people. The fifth vision shows how political & spiritual obstacles are to be overcome.
Once Israel obtained deliverance, or salvation from the Servant Branch they were to become a Living Temple, built and indwelt by God. Israel of old would then be prepared to conquer their outward spiritual and political oppression by allowing her inner salvation to shine out to the heathen nations.
God’s desire is to have His people enlightened and able to enlighten by the power of the Spirit of God (CIM). God’s plan for the nation of Israel was for her to be light to the nations. God’s plan for His redeemed Spirit filled Israel, the Church, is for her to be the light of the world.
The 5th vision will be divided into three messages. The 1st segment of chapter 4 which we will be dealing with in this message is the symbolism of the vision. Let us sub-divide our text into:
I. THE AWAKENING, 1.
II. THE VISION, 2-3.
III. THE SYMBOLISM, 4-5.
I. THE AWAKENING, 1.
The young prophet’s inner being is awakened again in verse 1 so that he might truly see what the Lord is revealing. Then the angel who was speaking with me returned, and roused me as a man who is awakened from his sleep.
To assure the communication of this vision the prophet is awakened. [It is the only one of all the visions which indicates that the prophet was awakened. Though he would need to be alerted or roused to all the visions for fallen man is dull and insensitive to experiences with God and exhausted by them.] The interpreting angel does not bring the vision but awakens the prophet that he may behold it. We too cannot save anyone but we can awaken them that they may look upon salvation.
From the state of spiritual lethargy, the prophet had to be aroused to a condition of spiritual receptivity. The change from the prophet’s ordinary condition into a state in which the prophet was capable of appropriating the divine vision can be compared to the state of a man in deep sleep to a man in an ordinary state of wakefulness. [Though Zechariah was absorbed in meditating upon what had previously been revealed.]
Note, we need the Spirit of God not only to make known to us divine things, but also to make us take notice of them (Isa. 1:4). We should ask of God that whenever He speaks to us, He would awaken us so that we would stir ourselves up. Read Luke 9:32.
[A similar stirring up is used with other prophets (Jer. 1:11, 13; Amos 7:8; 8:2) so that they may grasp what is revealed and enabled to set it before the people. For Peter’s vision read Acts 10:10ff].
First, the awakening, second:
II. THE VISION, 2-3.
In verse 2 Zechariah is asked to clarify what he was now capable of seeing. And he said to me, "What do you see?" And I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it.
The interpreting angel asks the prophet what he sees in order to cause the prophet to focus on the vision. Man, even in a spiritually endued enraptured condition, is so blinded by his fallen nature that he does not readily grasp divine truth. Not everyone sees what he looks at. Those who draw or paint realize that fact. Once his attention had been called into seeing, the outstanding feature of the vision is indicated by the behold.
He beheld, and from the description of the central figure, it was a lampstand. The word translated ‘lampstand’ is menorah. Commonly it was a stand or support for lamps. This one was solid gold. Gold suggests purity and preciousness. This one was similar to the one which had been hammered out of a single talent of gold for the tabernacle (Ex. 25:31ff, 37:17ff). The golden lampstand in the Holy Place had seven branches, or more properly, six branches proceeding from a central stem. These six branches, three on each side, rose to the same height but a little below the height of the central bowl which crowned the main stem of the candlestick. The branches are hollow and are conductors for the oil which is conveyed or channeled from the central stem through these six pipes or branches. At the top of the central stem and of the six branches were seven lamps or bowls into which long wicks (narrow woven fabric) were inserted. When lit these seven bowl lamps provided light in the Holy Place.
The lampstand seems similar to the tabernacle lampstand, yet, this one has three distinct variations or additions to the one of the tabernacle.
1st--There was an oil bowl or oil collecting receptacle or trough on the top of the lampstand.
2nd--This large bowl, or trough, or reservoir, is connected by seven spouts or pipes to the seven stems of the light stand (Either 49 or 7 spouts--distributive?). Seven is often used to indicate perfection, completeness or fulness. [Charles L. Feinburg, The Minor Prophets, Moody Press, Chicago: 1990, 288] In this case a completely adequate or perfect light.
A 3rd distinguishing feature was the two oil (olive) trees on either side of the bowl (4:3). The lampstand represents the people of God--first Israel and then later the church--as many references in the Old and New Testaments indicate (Isa. 60:1-3; 62:1; Mt. 5:14; Lk. 12:35; Rev. 1:20).
"Whatever the detail of the construction of the lampstand, its interpretation is made abundantly clear in Scripture. The details are different in Exodus 25 and again in Revelation 1 where John sees ‘seven golden lampstands’ (Rev. 1:12) which are later interpreted as ‘the seven churches’ (Rev. 1:20). The lampstand represents the community of God’s people. It is made of gold to indicate how precious they are in His sight. Their function is to give light in the world (Mt. 5:14-16; see also Phil. 2:15), first as the church in Old Testament Israel and then as the New Testament church comprising both Jew and Gentile." [Ibid. J. Mackay, ]
Significant information is added in verse 3. Also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side.
One of the two olive trees was on the right and the other was on the left of the lampstand and its oil receptacle. These two trees had fruitful branches which produced pure and abundant olive oil. Pure olive oil (called liquid gold in Hebrew) was the only fuel which could be used for the Lampstand. They provide the oil for the lamps or bowls (4:12).
The fact that the two trees provide oil without anyone picking or pressing them out provides a key to understanding the vision. One of the clearest symbols in Scripture is the use of pure olive oil for the Holy Spirit. Here the oil in connection with the lampstand symbolizes the Holy Spirit which God supplies to enable the one filled by Him to give light to a dark mind and world.
Charles L. Feinburg makes a major point in his commentary [Major Messages of the Minor Prophets, Zechariah: Israel Comfort and Glory, 1952] showing why oil is such a good symbol for the Spirit of God or the Spirit’s work. "First, oil lubricates, thus abolishing friction and promoting smoothness. The Holy Spirit is who gives smoothness and abolishes [abnormal] wear and tear in every service for God. Second, oil heals. In Biblical times wine and oil were applied to wounds (cf. Luke 10:34). No one but the Spirit of God can heal the heart wounded by life’s cares, sorrows, or unpleasantness ... Third, oil lights. It is the Holy Spirit who illuminates the sacred page and the pathway of the believer ... Fourth, oil warms. Whether it be the sad plight of the lost soul, or the need of a fellow-member in the Body of Christ, or the truth of God, our cold hearts are unresponsive and impregnable except the warming, glowing, pulsating power of the Spirit of God penetrates and diffuses genial and welcome warmth. Fifth, oil invigorates, it increases the energy of the body ... Sixth, oil adorns. It was used in the feasts of Old Testament times, and was never applied in times of sorrow or grief (cf. 2 Sam. 12:20; Ps. 104:15; Isa. 61:3) ... The life lived under the control of the Spirit of God is radiant with the joy of the Lord and fragrant with the perfume of the presence of the Lord. Seventh, oil polishes. The Spirit takes the rough edges from the character of the believer."
The oil of the two tress flowed into a large bowl or reservoir. The bowl or receptacle above the solid gold lampstand stood ready with the full measure or reserve supply of the Holy Spirit. The pipes (spout) or branches to each of the lamp stems illustrates the directly increased pouring out of oil available when the complete fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21) of the abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurs.
The living trees and the additional plumbing (4:12) enabled the lampstand to be spontaneously and automatically supplied with the oil needed to keep its light burning brilliantly, consistently, and perhaps perpetually. During the time of the tabernacle, the lampstand was dependent upon both the people and the priests for its light. The people donated the oil and the priests trimmed the wicks and filled the lamp with oil morning and evening (Ex. 27:20,21; 30:7,8). But this lampstand will shine bright no matter what lack of faithfulness man should show! This illustrates that God will accomplish His purpose of spreading the light of the Gospel to every creature with or without man’s total faithfulness. God desires to use men as His instruments and He will pour Himself forth in them in a great and illumining way.
III. THE SYMBOLISM, 4-5.
The prophet asks for further revelation in verse 4. Then I answered and said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, "What are these, my lord?"
While beholding the vision of this extraordinary scene, Zechariah asks the meaning of it. What are these, my lord? Those that would understand the mind of God must be inquisitive. Most Hebrews could not only discern what the original lampstand was but also knew the meaning of the divine symbolism employed by God for every piece of furniture in the tabernacle.
Notice how respectful Zechariah, the priest and prophet, speaks to the angel calling him "my lord." Those that desire to be taught give honor (will be respectful) to their teachers. To increase the suspense and to cause the prophet to think, the answer to Zechariah’s question is postponed till the final verse of the chapter (v. 11,14).
The interpreting angel gives the prophet a mild rebuke for his lack of understanding in verse 5. So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "no my lord."
What is so clear to those in heaven may not be clear to us. The clear implication of the angel’s reply is that the symbolism was sufficiently plain because of its resemblance to the tabernacle and its typology so that the prophet did not need any precise explanation of it, and indeed none was offered. Don’t you know suggests he ought to know. God expects His people to be able to use their minds to remember what they know and use that to help them understand and discern His revelations.
The lampstand stood in the Holy Place of the tabernacle which was the figure of living in relationship to God. It was the vessel of light which is typical of Christ our light (Jn. 8:12; Mt. 3:ll; 5:14-16). The Lampstand was hammered out of one talent of pure gold which represents His pure deity and Christ learning obedience through the things He suffered. The seven lamps display the fullness, completeness or perfection of His witness and testimony (Rev. 1:4, 9). Six of its branches were connected to the one central branch called the candlestick. Six is the number of man (created on 6th day) and one is for the one who comes who brings those who abide in Him to perfection. [Six, the number for man, plus One is also the representation of the final union of the redeemed bride with her risen Lord.] Seven signifies completeness, fulness or perfection.
God had been preparing and enlightening Israel to be a witness and testimony of God’s salvation (in Christ) to the pagan nations around her. They were to be God’s light to the world. To be the light of Christ shining forth into the world there are condition we must fulfill.
(1) To burn you must be vitally connected to the central stem that supplies the oil. You can never shine as a disciple until you are vitally connected with Jesus Christ.
(2) The second condition of shining is to receive the ministry of the Holy Spirit through you. How beautifully this vision teaches the connection between Christ and the Spirit and the Spirit flowing through those abiding in Christ. Are you connected to Christ? Is the Spirit flowing through you? The Spirit must flow through a clean vessel connected to Christ.
(3) The wick must reach the oil and be trimmed to burn clear and bright. Daily communion and communication between ourselves and the Lord through the Holy Spirit accomplishes that. Your life must be renewed day by day.
The lampstand symbolizes the church of God as it will shine in splendor when it is filled with the Spirit of God. (Matthew 5:14-16; Luke 12:35; Phil. 2:15; Rev. 1:20)
CONCLUSION
The oil was in the lamp but it had to be lit to give light. It took fire to ignite the oil which the lampstand contained (Mt. 3:11). When we as Spirit filled Christians come into contact with the Word of God, it ignites us and we shine forth brightly (Isa. 30:27; Jer. 5:14; 20:9; 23:29). Do you seriously take hold of the words of God? Do you partake of its cleansing until you can feel it burning within you so that you must let it shine forth? Don’t hide your light under a bushel. If you allow Christ to humble you, He will exalt you so that His light shines out to a world groping in darkness.
Are you being the light of the world? Genesis 1:3 says, "Let there be light" and light turned chaos into cosmos. Rev. 22:5 says "God shall illuminate them." If you are not being a light to those lost in darkness, is it because you have never been born again and therefore do not have the Spirit? Or is it because you are quenching the Spirit so that the Word of God cannot cleanse and ignite you? Let us overflow with the Spirit of God so that the Word of God can ignite us. Then our flame will ascend up toward the Lord and be a pleasing aroma to Him and give Light to all who are in our part of the world!
