Return from Exile: Zechariah 4-6 (1)

Pray Psalm 126.1, 2.
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”

Sing Psalm 126.1, 2.
(Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
When God restored our fortunes all, we were like those who sweetly dream.
Our mouths with joy and laughter filled, made Him our constant song and theme.

Read and meditate on Zechariah 4.1-14.

Preparation
1. What did Zechariah see in his vision?

2. What did the angel say about Zerubbabel?

Meditation
Zechariah is told this vision is of the Spirit of God (vv. 6, 10), Who is yet to come, and that the lamps represent the promise that Zerubbabel, having laid the foundation of the temple, will bring it to completion. John will later see a similar vision and be told it represents seven churches (Rev. 1). The Spirit rejoices to see God's builder at work on His temple, though it seems but a small thing (vv. 9, 10). Two olive trees are also in the vision, and the prophet is told these represent two anointed ones who stand beside the Lord of all the earth (vv. 11-14). This image will recur in Revelation 11 as a symbol of the complete Body of Christ—Jewish and Gentile together as faithful witnesses to the Lord.

In verse 10, “They” and “these seven” refer to the seven lamps seen earlier, which the Angel interpreted as the Spirit of God (v. 6), and which Jesus will later apply to seven churches representative of all His Church (Rev. 1). A close identity exists between the Spirit of God, God, and the temple of God, which is the Church (cf. Ps. 48, esp. vv. 12-14; Eph. 2.19-22). Zerubbabel is a type of Christ, and all who follow Christ are, like Zerubbabel, builders of His temple, which is the Body of Christ. The Spirit rejoices to see Zerubbabel taking the plumb line in hand. Though the temple he will build seems but a small thing, it is the joy of the Lord, and thus should be for those who build a source of great joy indeed. To despise such building, or to find it onerous in any way, is to lose one's proper focus and to deprive oneself of the Lord's joy.

Churches today are declining, and Christian faith can seem like a “small thing” compared to the political, scientific, and cultural achievements and powers of the world. But Jesus continues building His Church (Matt. 16.18), and He has gifted all His people to contribute to this great work (Eph. 4.11-16; 1 Cor. 12.7-11). It’s no small thing to work at building the Lord’s temple. Jesus will finish this great work. For now, we must shake off our captivity to self and convenience and take our places in this holy endeavor. We dare not despise this day of “small things”, for Jesus is glorified even in the small stuff of our lives.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
“What do you see?” (Zech. 4.2)
“What are these?” (Zech. 4.4)
“You don’t know?” (Zech. 4.5, 13)

Daily, as we go to the Word of God, we should be asking ourselves these questions: “What do you see?” and “What are these?”

And like the angel talking with Zechariah, the Holy Spirit may respond: “You don’t know?” Then graciously, “I will show you what you need to know” (Heb. 4.12).

Both in the Old Testament and the New, God reminds us not to be afraid, but to fully trust Him:
“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4.6).
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1.7).

And to fortify this truth He said that the seven lamps were:
“…the eyes of the LORD, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth” (Zech. 4.10).
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chron. 16.9).
“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths” (Prov. 5.21).
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Prov. 15.3).

Always watching, always guiding, and always loving and caring:
“The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;
do not forsake the works of Your hands” (Ps. 138.8).

Even on those days of our greatest smallness, sadness, or neediness, He is there with us.
“I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts” (Ps. 119.141).
“But I am poor and needy; make haste to me, O God!” (Ps. 70.5).
“Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; for I am poor and needy” (Ps. 86.1).
“But You, O GOD the Lord, deal with me for Your name’s sake; because Your mercy is good,

deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me” (Ps. 109.21, 22)

“For who has despised the day of small things?” (Zech. 4.10)
Certainly not our loving heavenly Father.

When God’s temple foundation is firmly laid in our hearts, it is then we know with certainty that He has sent Jesus to start and finish His work within us, without us, and through us. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3.11).

See Jesus, understand God’s truths through His Holy Spirit, and know that you belong to Him.

Hidden in the hollow Of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, Never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, Not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry Touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial Falleth from above, Traced upon our dial By the Sun of Love.
We may trust Him fully All for us to do; They who trust Him wholly Find Him wholly true.

Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest;
Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest.
(Frances R. Havergal, 1874)

For reflection
1. Does your Christian life ever feel like a “small thing”? How should you respond when you feel that way?

2. What does it mean for you to be building-up the temple of the Lord which is your own life?

3. What should you do in contributing to building the temple of the Lord which is His Church?

Those who despaired of finishing the work, shall rejoice when they see Zerubbabel giving directions what to do, and taking care that the work be done. It is a comfort to us that the same all-wise, almighty Providence, which governs the earth, is in particular conversant about the church. All that have the plummet in their hands, must look up to the eyes of the Lord, have constant regard to Divine Providence, act in dependence on its guidance and submission to its disposals. Let us fix our faith on Christ, and view Him carrying on His work according to His own glorious plan, and daily bringing His spiritual building nearer to completion. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Zechariah 4.8-11

Pray Psalm 126.2-6.
Jesus has said that He will build His Church, even in these dark and desperate days. Pray that He will show you what work He has for you in this great effort. Thank and praise Him that His full and complete and perfect City is yet to come.

Sing Psalm 126.2-6.
(Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
Then the astonished nations said, “The Lord has done great things for them!”
Indeed, great things our God has done, whose Name we praise, Amen, Amen!

Restore our fortunes, Lord our King! Let grace like flowing streams prevail.
All they with tears of joy shall sing who sow while yet they weep and wail.

They who in tears of sorrow sow and cast their seed on every hand,
with joy shall reach their heav’nly home, and bring the harvest of their land.

T. M. and Susie Moore

Two books can help us understand our own captivity and lead us to seek revival and renewal in the Lord. The Church Captive asks us to consider the ways the Church today has become captive to the world. And Revived! can help us find the way to renewal. Learn more and order your free copies by clicking here and here.

And in case you’d like to learn more about not despising the small things of life, order a free copy of our book, Small Stuff (click here), and learn how you can bring glory to God in all the quotidian activities of your life.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available free by clicking here.