Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryZechariah 4

Francis D. Nichol (ed.) and contributors

Zechariah 4:1

Walked me. This incident marks the transition from one vision to the other. The prophet was probably in a state of deep meditation, and now his attention is directed to a new symbolic presentation. Compare Dan. 8:18; 10:8, 9; see on ch. 1:8.

Ellen G. White

The very same difficulties which were created to hinder the restoration and upbuilding of the work of God, the great mountains of difficulty which loomed in Zerubbabel’s way, will be met by all who today are loyal to God and to His work. Many human inventions are used to carry out plans after the mind and will of men with whom God is not working. But it is not boastful words nor a multitude of ceremonies that show that the Lord is working with His people. The assumed power of the human agent does not decide this question. Those who place themselves in opposition to the Lord’s work may hinder for a time, but the same Spirit that has guided the Lord’s work all the way through will guide it today. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” ...

The Lord would have every soul strong in His strength. He would have us look to Him, receiving our directions from Him (The Review and Herald, May 16, 1899).

Satan is working with all his hellish power to quench that light which should burn brightly in the soul and shine forth in good works. The words of God to Zechariah show from whence the holy golden oil comes, and its bright light which the Lord kindles in the chambers of the soul gives light through good works to the world. Satan will work to quench the light God has for every soul, by casting his shadow across the pathway to intercept every ray of heavenly light. He knows that his time is short. The people of God must cleave to God, else they will lose their bearings. If they cherish hereditary and cultivated traits of character that misrepresent Christ, while professedly His disciples, they are represented by the man coming to the gospel feast without having on the wedding garment, and by the foolish virgins which had no oil in their vessels with their lamps. We must cleave to that which God pronounces to be truth, though the whole world may be arrayed against it (Manuscript 140, 1901).

Oil Conveyed Through Messages—[Zechariah 4:1-3, 11-14 quoted.] By the holy beings surrounding His throne, the Lord keeps up a constant communication with the inhabitants of the earth. The golden oil represents the grace with which God keeps the lamps of believers supplied. Were it not that this holy oil is poured from heaven in the messages of God’s Spirit, the agencies of evil would have entire control over men. God is dishonored when we do not receive the communications that He sends us. Thus we refuse the golden oil which He would pour into our souls to be communicated to those in darkness (The Review and Herald, February 3, 1903).

Zechariah 4:2

Candlestick. The symbolism is evidently borrowed from the candlestick in the sanctuary. The one in the ancient tabernacle had seven lamps (Ex. 25:31–40). Solomon’s Temple had ten candlesticks, five on the right and five on the left (1 Kings 7:49). The present candlestick is not like the former, however, and has its own distinctive lesson to teach. Bowl. This held the oil, which was fed to the seven lamps through seven pipes.

Zechariah 4:3

Olive trees. According to v. 12 these trees supplied oil to the central bowl, which, in turn, supplied the lamps.

Zechariah 4:6

Zerubbabel. For the identity and work of Zerubbabel see Ezra 2:1 to 4:5; see also p. 1073. Zerubbabel here represents the civil leadership and administration, as Joshua (Zech. 3:1) represents the religious leadership of the nation. By my spirit. The oil furnished by the olive trees (v. 3) typified the Holy Spirit (see COL 408). Divine grace alone could overcome all the obstacles that confronted the rebuilders (see Vol. IV, p. 1073) of Jerusalem. Zerubbabel and his companions were depressed by their feeble ability and scant resources to carry on the work of restoration against the opposition of their enemies. The vision showed that God’s purposes for Israel would be attained not by human “might” or “power,” but by His own Spirit and His own power.

Ellen G. White

(Zechariah 4:6). Calebs Needed Today—Calebs have been greatly needed in different periods of the history of our work. Today we need men of thorough fidelity, men who follow the Lord fully, men who are not disposed to be silent when they ought to speak, who are as true as steel to principle, who do not seek to make a pretentious show, but who walk humbly with God, patient, kind, obliging, courteous men, who understand that the science of prayer is to exercise faith and show works that will tell to the glory of God and the good of His people.... To follow Jesus requires wholehearted conversion at the start, and a repetition of this conversion every day (Letter 39, 1899).

6. See EGW on 2 Kings 2:11-15, Vol. 2, p. 1037.

6, 7, 10. Assumed Power Is Not God’s Strength—This chapter is full of encouragement for those who do the work of the Lord in these last days. Zerubbabel had gone to Jerusalem to build the house of the Lord. But he was compassed with difficulties. His adversaries “weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,” “and made them to cease by force and power.” But the Lord interposed in their behalf, and the house was finished. [Zechariah 4:6, 7, 10 quoted.]

Zechariah 4:7

Great mountain. Symbolic of the seemingly insuperable difficulties Zerubbabel had to meet in accomplishing his purpose (see on Isa. 2:2). Headstone. Zerubbabel is given the assurance that he will finish the work of restoration by putting on the headstone, or topstone, thereof. Compare 7T 170. Shoutings. These are doubtless the cries of rejoicing of those witnessing the placing of the headstone.

Zechariah 4:9

Laid the foundation. See on Ezra 3:8. Finish it. See on Ezra 6:15.

Zechariah 4:10

Day of small things. That is, the meager progress thus far achieved. They shall rejoice. That is, at the accomplishment of that which appeared impossible. With those seven. The word “with” is supplied. The sentence may be translated, “These seven, they are the eyes of the Lord running to and fro in all the earth.” The reference is doubtless to the seven lamps (v. 2). They are here made a symbol of the omniscience and omnipresence of God. “He that keepeth Israel” neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps. 121:4). From His great throne above He superintends the affairs on this earth and works out the purposes of His will. Nothing escapes His notice (see Ps. 139:1–12; see on Dan. 4:17).

Zechariah 4:11

What are these? The significance of the two olive trees (v. 3) had not yet been explained.

Ellen G. White

11-14 (Matthew 25:1-13). Oil Purifies the Soul—We all need to study as never before the parable of the ten virgins. Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. This is the holy oil represented in Zechariah [Zechariah 4:11-14 quoted]. This representation is of the highest consequence to those who claim to know the truth. But if we do not practise the truth, we have not received the holy oil, which the two golden pipes empty out of themselves. The oil is received into vessels prepared for the oil. It is the Holy Spirit in the heart which works by love and purifies the soul....

Word Flows Into Messengers’ Hearts—[Zechariah 4:11-14 quoted.] These empty themselves into the golden bowls, which represent the hearts of the living messengers of God, who bear the Word of the Lord to the people in warnings and entreaties. The Word itself must be as represented, the golden oil, emptied from the two olive trees that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. This is the baptism by the Holy Spirit with fire. This will open the soul of unbelievers to conviction. The wants of the soul can be met only by the working of the Holy Spirit of God. Man can of himself do nothing to satisfy the longings and meet the aspirations of the heart (Manuscript 109, 1897).

Zechariah 4:12

Ellen G. White

12 (Isaiah 58:8). To Constantly Receive, One Must Constantly Impart—The capacity for receiving the holy oil from the two olive trees which empty themselves, is by the receiver emptying that holy oil out of himself in word and in action to supply the necessities of other souls. Work, precious, satisfying work—to be constantly receiving and constantly imparting! The capacity for receiving is only kept up by imparting (NL No. 12, pp. 3, 4).

Zechariah 4:14

Two anointed ones. They are described as standing “by the Lord.” In the symbolism the olive trees provided oil for the lamps (v. 12). The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (see on v. 6). The anointed ones therefore represent the heavenly instrumentalities through which the Holy Spirit is imparted to human beings who are wholly consecrated to His service. “The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate light and power to God’s people” (TM 510). Those who receive such a heavenly imparting are expected, in turn, to communicate these blessings to others. John the revelator also mentions two olive trees and parallels them with “the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth” (Rev. 11:4). By these symbols he identifies the two witnesses which represent “the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament” (GC 267). Hence, although the two prophets saw similar symbols, the significance of the symbols was not identical.