November 23rd 2025 Zechariah chapter 4
The Vision of the Golden Lampstand.
V 1. The angel that talked with me came again. Just as the vision of chapter 3 was meant for the encouragement of Joshua,
So the vision of this chapter is intended for the strengthening of Zerubbabel.
The civil leader had been frustrated again and again in his efforts to build the Temple.
Opposition came from every direction
V 2. A candlestick all of gold. The prophet was familiar with the lampstand in the Tabernacle of Moses (Ex 25 v 31-40)
And with that in Solomon’s Temple,
but this golden candlestick differed from those in four details
1) The Bowl pipes,
2) Olive trees
3) and golden spouts.
4) There were seven lamps to the lampstand and seven conduits to each lamp, suggesting an abundance and never ending supply of oil.
V 6. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
The revelation from God to Zerubbabel was that all his work for God depended not on human strength, power, or skill but upon The Lord God……..
God's Spirit was for realisation that He would complete the task set to by God.
By this passage it is known that oil in Scripture is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
V 7. Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become as a plain,
Any mountainous obstacle in Zerubbabel’s way would become as nothing before the power of God's Spirit. So it is with us, nothing can stand in our way when we are doing Gods work
The headstone. The civil leader would see the completion of the structure he had begun.
The new temple will be built
Grace, grace unto it. The people of God would call down God's grace and favour upon the completed sanctuary. It needed to be set in the hearts of the people, as to how great God is
V 9. His hands shall also finish it. In order that Zerubbabel might have strong and unmistakable comfort for the task, the promise of verse 7 which is again stated here.
V 10. The day of small things. From Ezra 3 v 12-13 and Haggai 2 v 3 it is known that in Israel many made unfavourable comparisons between the glorious Temple of Solomon and the structure then being built. Solomons Temple showed the wonderful work of mans hands, Solomon had the money to add finery to the building,
but here it was built under the instruction of God using the material God provided, it was to glorify God not the work of men’s hands
The time of their rebuilding is here designated as the day of small things.
The eyes of the Lord. The eyes of men may have looked with scorn upon the work at hand,
but the eyes of the Lord viewed with favour the building activity of Zerubbabel.
God's divine care, which takes in the whole earth, was committed to the finishing of the Temple (2 Chr 16 v 9) .
V 14. These are the two anointed ones.
The two olive trees at either side of the lampstand represent the anointed ones (lit., sons of oil),
who were the channels through whom the grace of God was then interceded to his people.
The individuals under consideration were Joshua and Zerubbabel, the religious and civil agents of God.
Ultimately, the one through whom all religious or spiritual and civil or governmental blessings are conveyed is the Lord Jesus Christ.
News from the Church New dates
3rd December..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
17th December…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
21st December….. Carol Service at 6-30pm
25th December…. Christmas Day Service 10am (for 45 minutes)
ANSWERS TO 16th November QUESTIONS
1) Risen 2) The Jews 3) Wise 4) Life 5) Ashamed 6) Reasonable service 7) Thrice 8) Clay
9) Rivers of waters 10) Die 11) Thee 12) My people 13) His holy name 14) Gospel of Christ
15) Mocked 16) Is right
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is Who am I
1 I was known as my brother’s spokesman.?
2 I helped Aaron hold up Moses hands, so that Israel could win the battle.?
3 It was strange when my donkey talked to me?
4 My father didn’t want me to go with my brothers back to Egypt?
5 Along with mu 3 friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego we would not eat the rich kings food .?
6 I failed to control my 2 sons even though I was the High Priest?
7 I was made queen instead of Vashti?
8 I asked for a special sign from God involving a fleece of wool?
9 I had all 2-year-old children killed so that I could kill Jesus.?
10 When God said I was going to die, I asked for more years, and He gave me 15 more years?
11 My father sent a servant back to our homeland to find me a wife?
12 I once used a stone for a pillow?
13 I was known as the weeping Prophet?
14 My son slew a giant all by himself.?
15 I was afflicted with boils all over my body?
16 I was unhappy because my father, who was the king, hated my best friend?
1 Thessalonians Ch 1
V 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
V 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
V 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
God Bless