July 8, 2021 – Zechariah 4

Another vision for Zechariah, this time, a vision of a golden lampstand. The returning exiles had begun to rebuild the temple, but they had become discouraged and stopped. There's some detail, here: a lampstand of gold, a bowl on top of the lampstand, seven lamps, two olive trees, etc. The gist of the vision, though, is that the Lord will do what he has promised. The temple would be rebuilt and the people would be reestablished in the land.

The people did not have the strength nor the resources nor the commitment . . . but the Lord! “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. . . . The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you” (4:6,8). Sometimes, whether in our personal lives or in the life of the congregation or in the lives of those around us, it seems as if the good that is needed, well, that we simply cannot bring it about. But the Lord!

Give me the faith which can remove

and sink the mountain to a plain;

give me the childlike praying love,

which longs to build thy house again;

thy love, let it my heart o'er-power,

and all my simple soul devour. –Charles Wesley, 1749