“So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”
- Zechariah 4:6-7 -

In Zechariah’s fifth vision, the lampstand’s seven lamps are lit with oil coming from two olive trees on either side. That oil symbolizes God’s Spirit and represents his power enabling Zerubbabel, Judah’s governor and a prince in David’s line, to complete the Temple. Zerubbabel is shown that the work can only be done with the help of God’s Spirit, but God chooses to work through human agents like him. Therefore he will succeed, though opposition and mockery stand in his way.

This chapter encourages us to keep our eyes raised heavenward as we carry on regardless, working for God. The ‘two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth’ (v 14) have been identified variously with governor Zerubbabel and high priest Joshua, or the prophets Haggai and Zechariah... etc. ‘Anointed’ here is literally ‘sons of oil’. We might not be of the same ilk as those great servants of God, but in our faithful service to God we too can be ‘sons (and daughters!) of oil!’ Hallelujah!

Closing Prayer: Lord, I frequently prefer to organize my life on my own terms. Help me to focus on you and bring you to the center of my life.