CHAP. IV. And I said, I have looked, and behold d A vision of a golden candlestick, with seven lamps, supplied candlestick all of gold, with * a bowl upon with oil, through pipes, fronti dolized the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon,
assistance, which afford Zerubbabel and Joshua in finishing the temple, 4-10. The two olive-trees are the two anointed ones, 11-14.
ND the Angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a
nan that is wakened out of his sleep; 2 And said unto me, What seest thou?
and seven pipes to the seven lamps which are upon the top thereof ;
3 And two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
d Ex. 25:31-38. 37:17-24. 40: 24.25. 1 Kings 7:49,50. 1 Chr. 28 15. 2 Chr. 4:7,20-22. 13: 11. Jer. 52:19. Matt. 5:14- 16. Rev. 1:12,20, 2:1.
Heb. her bowl. 1 Kings 7:50.
e Ex. 25:37. Rev. 4:5.
Or, seven several pipes to the lamps. 12.
f 11,14. Judg. 9:9. Rom. 11:17, 24. Rev. 11:4.
be wondered at by friends or foes; our whole dependence must rest on Christ "the BRANCH" of righteousness; that we may be grafted into him and grow like him. On him must our eyes be fixed, as the only Foundation which the Father has laid for his church, or on which a sinner can rest his hope of salvation. He
wants an effectual plea, in behalf of all who intrust their cause in his hands. He will rebuke, confound, and silence our bold accuser, by arguments grounded on his own meritorious obedience unto death, and on the mercy and truth of the Father through him. If it be proved, by our genuine conversion, that we belong to that company, whom he "hath cho-alone can remove our iniquity: in one day he
made an all-sufficient atonement for sin, and the Lord laid on him the transgressions of us all: and when his hands, feet, and side were pierced for us, our names and cause were graven by the Father upon his heart. Whenever we look to him in genuine faith, the guilt and power of sin are marvellously removed: we then begin to enjoy true peace and comfort, in communion with him and his saints: and we have an antepast of heavenly felicity; while in his ordinances, by faith and love, "we sit down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit is sweet to our taste." ( Note , Cant . 2:3.)
NOTES.
CHAP. IV. V. 1. Some short interval having taken place, between the foregoing and the following parts of the vision, Zechariah through the infirmity of the flesh was fallen asleep. But his divine Instructer waked him, that he might attend to what he had further to shew him. ( Marg . Ref . Notes, Jer. 31:23 -26. Dan . 8:15-19, ν . 18.)
sen, that they should be holy and without blame before him in love," we have nothing to fear. We were once as brands in the fire, without sense of our misery and danger, or desire of deliverance: yet he plucked us out, of his own most gratuitous, unsolicited mercy and grace, "according to the eternal purpose which he hath purposed in himself:" ( Notes , Eph . 2:4-10, υυ. 4,5.
Tit . 3:4--7.) and he will not now leave us to be thrown back into the burning, because of those remains of sin, which are our grief and burden, when we stand daily before him, confessing our guilt, entreating him to pardon and cleanse us, and prepared to give him the whole glory of our salvation.
If the great Intercessor then silences our accuser by arguments of this kind; we should resist his discouraging suggestions in the same manner; we should desire to be the Lord's instruments, in "plucking brands out of the fire;" and should bear patiently and meekly with the sins and infirmities of new converts and weak believers, according to the mercy of our Lord to us.
In his sight we all appear as "clothed in filthy garments;" not only in our first approach to him for salvation, but in respect of our hearts and actions ever since: except as he orders the poor prodigal to be divested of his rags, and clothed with the best robe, which he has provided for his change of raiment.
When we truly trust in Christ, we shall thus "be made the righteousness of God in him:" he will also cause our iniquity to pass away by his sanctifying grace, and enable us to "put off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;" and, having "put on the new man," "to walk thenceforth in newness of life." Happy then are they, who seek help from him! the prayers of his ministers and people are accepted for them, and they are qualified for every work to which they are called.
But if we would have the assurance and comfort of these privileges, and serve the Lord in any honorable and useful station; we must hearken to his protestations concerning the necessity of holiness and faithful obedience, as well as to his promises of free salvation. We must learn to walk in his ways, and keep his charge, and be faithful in a little; tion of the ministers and members of the in order that we may be more and more em-church, which is treasured up in Christ, to be
ployed by him on earth, and in hopes of serving him in heaven for ever, along with holy angels and perfected saints.
V. 8-10.
Whatever trials we pass through, or whatever services we perform, or however we may VOL. IV. 108
V.2, 3. ( Note , Ex . 25:31-39.) This candlestick of pure gold (alluding to that in the sanctuary,) represented the church of God, formed of the excellent of the earth, and fitted for receiving and communicating the light of truth and holiness, in this dark world.
The lamps of the candlestick, in the sanctuary, were supplied by the priests, in the ordinary manner; but this was supplied in a supernatural way, for there was a bowl, or common reservoir, placed on the top of the candlestick, at an equal al distance from each of the seven lamps; and from this bowl were seven pipes, through which the oil gradually ran of itself to supply each of them, as it was wanted.
At the same time, two olive-trees were growing, one on each side of the bowl; and a branch of each of them, being nearest to it, distilled of its own accord abundance of the finest oil, of a golden color, through a golden pipe into the bowl; from which the lamps were replenished, through the seven pipes. (11,12.) Beyond doubt, this represented the abundance of divine grace, for the illumination and sanctifica
from him dispensed, through his ordinances, to every individual in all parts of the world, as occasions and circumstances may require; and which cannot be procured or precluded by any human power, but is communicated according to the methods which he has established, and [857
4 So I answered and spake to the An-stone thereof with gel that talked with me, saying, & What are these, my Lord?
5 Then the Angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my
Lord.
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by * might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the
LORD of hosts.
shoutings, crying,
• Grace, grace unto it. 8 Moreover, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
have laid
9 The hands of Zerubbabel the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.
10 For who hath despised the day of for they shall rejoice, and plummet in the hand of Zethose seven; x they are the
small things? shall see the rubbabel with
7 Who art thou, 1 O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro plain: and he shall bring forth them head-through the whole earth.
g 12-14. 1:9,19. 5:6. 6:4. Dan. | Or, army . 2 Chr. 32:7,8. Ps. 7:16-19. 12:8. Matt. 13:36. Rev. 7:13,14.
b 13. Mark 4:13.
i Gen. 41:16. Ps. 139:6. Dan. 2:30. 1 Cor. 2:12-15.
9:13-15. Num. 27:16. 2 Chr. 14:11. Is. 11:2-4. 30:1. 32: 15. 63:10-14. Ez. 37:11-14. Hos. 1:7. Hag. 2:2-5. 1 Cor. 2:4,5. 2 Cor. 10:4,5. 1 Pet. 1:12.
20:6-8. 33:16,20,21. 44:3-7. 1 14:4,5. Ps. 114:4,6. Is. 40:3, 4. 41:15. 64:1-3. Jer. 51:25. Dan. 2.34,35. Mic. 1:4. 4:1. Nah. 1:5,6. Hab. 3:6. Hag. 2:6-9,21-23. Matt. 21:21. Luke 3:5. Rev. 16:20.
m 9. Ps. 118:22. Is. 28:16. Matt. 21:42. Mark 12:10. Lake 20.17. Acts. 4:11. Eph 2:20. 1 Pet. 2:7.
notwith
revealed in his word. This church was at that time found among the Jews, and the candlestick was set up at Jerusalem: and its light would be supplied and kept burning, notwithstanding the weakness or unworthiness of the persons concerned, the number or power of their enemies, or the apparent difficulties under which they labored. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .-- Notes , 4-7,11-14. Judg . 9:9-15, v . 9. Matt . 5:14-16. Rom . 11:16-24. Rev. 1:1220, υν . 12,20. 2:1. 4:4,5. 11:3–6, ν . 4.)
n Ezra 3:11-13. 6:15-17. Job 38:6,7. Rev. 5:9-13. 19:1-6. o Jer. 33:11. Rom. 11:6. Eph.. 1:6,7.2:4-3.
p Ezra 3:10. 5:16. q 6:12,13. Ezra 6:15. Matt. 16: 18. Heb. 12:2.
г 2.8,9,11. 6:15. Is. 48:16. John 3:17. 5:36,37. 8:16-18. 17:21. s Ezra 3:12,13. Neh. 4:2-4. Job 8:7. Prov. 4:18. Dan, 2:
35,35. Ho9. 6:3. Hag. 2:3. Matt. 13:31-33. 1 Cor. 1:28 -29.
Or, since the seven eyes of the LORD shall rejoice. Is. 66: 11,14. Luke 15:5-10,32. t Am. 7:7,8.
Heb. stone of tin.
u 3:9. Rev. 8:2.
x 1:10,11. 2 Chr. 16:9. Prov. 15.3. Rev. 5:6.
immoveable and insurmountable by any hu- man power: but in the name and strength of that God, who would work by Zerubbabel, he might set them at defiance; for before him the "great mountain would become a plain;" and he would in due time bring forth the head- stone, or the top-stone, to be placed on the summit of the temple: whilst all the people, with loud and repeated acclamations, would ascribe their whole success to the free, un- merited, and abundant grace and favor of God; as well as seek his continued mercy and grace by fervent prayer. ( Marg . Ref . 1-o.- Notes , 14:4,5. Ezra 6:13-17.
Ps . 118:19-24. Is . 28:16. 40:3-5. Jer . 33:10,11. Dan . 4:44,45. Hag . 2:20-23. Matt . 21:21,22, v. 21. Rev. 5:8 -14. 7:9-12. 19:1-6. 21:1-4.)-In all this, Zerubbabel doubtless was the type of Christ, who builds his spiritual temple, not by human power and authority, but by the regener and sanctifying influences of the Holy and by instruments qualified and disposed by the same divine Agent; whilst mountains melt into plains before him, and the work goes on amidst the combined opposition of earth and hell.
And thus will he proceed, till the whole multitude of the redeemed shall be perfected, body and soul, in heavenly glory; and angels join the full chorus of the church triumphant, in adoring praises to that free grace, which formed, conducted, and completed the sur- prising plan. 'To this sense the Chaldee par- 'aphrase expounds the words. 'His Messias 'shall come forth, who was named from all 'eternity, and shall obtain the empire of all ''the kingdoms of the earth.' And St. Jerome 'tells us, that the ancient Jews explained it 'so.' Lowth .
regenerating Holy Spirit;
V.4-7. The prophet, not understanding the vision, ventured to inquire the meaning from his gracious Instructer: ( Marg . Ref . g-i. -Note , Mark 4:1-20, v . 13.) and, being gently reproved for his dulness of apprehension, or his attention being still more excited, he confessed his ignorance, and was left to discover the meaning, from the message which he was for the present ordered to deliver to Zerubbabel; assuring him, that his support and success would not be derived from armies, or human authority, but from the Spirit of God.
The power of the Jews, or the authority of the Persian kings, would not avail in these undertakings; but they would be rendered successful by the Holy Spirit. The first edict of Cyrus was procured by the secret operation of God on his mind; Darius and Artaxerxes would be influenced in the same manner to favor thein. ( Notes , Ezra 1:1-4.7:27,28.
Neh . 1:5-11, v . 11. 2:4.) But especially the instruments employed, would not be invested with extensive authority or great power, or endued with military conduct or courage; but with the Spirit of God, rendering them eminent for wisdom, holiness, faith, and zeal, and directing them to proceed in dependence on God. Such, in a ineasure, were Zerubbabel, Joshua, and their helpers; such afterwards were Ezra and Neheiniah, and those who concurred with them.
By instruments and means of this kind, the temple was rebuilded, and at length the civil and ecclesiastical state of Judah was restored. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . k.- Notes , 9:13-16. 2 Chr . 14:9-15, v . 11. 32:5-8, υυ . 7,8. Is . 11:25. 32:15. 63:11-14. Ez . 37:11-14. Hos . 1:6, 7. 2 Cor. 10:1-6, υυ . 4,5. 1 Pet . 1:10—12, v . 12.) Indeed the obstructions in their way resembled a "great mountain," which would be || that JEHOVAH of hosts, the Father had sent
V.8-10. The same truths are here expressed, or illustrated, in another manner. Zerubbabel with his own hands had, some time before, laid the foundation-stone, in the presence of Joshua and the people; yet, through various hindrances and discouragements, he probably despaired of seeing the work completed: but he was here assured that his hands should also finish it; and by this he would know, that the Lord had sent his prophet to him; or rather, by this Zechariah would know
bis divine Instructer to him. "Thou shalt 'know," (meaning the prophet,) that I am Christ 'sent of my Father, for the building and pres'ervation of my spiritual temple.' ( Marg . Ref . p. r.- Notes , 2:6-13. 6:12-15. Ezra 3:811. 5:6-17, v. 16. 6:13-15. Heb . 12:2,3.) The aged persons among the Jews had despised these small beginnings, and probably many others concurred with them; and thus they both distrusted God and disheartened one another.
Perhaps those in Chaldea, "despising such a day of small things," excused themselves from returning into their own land; as if the dawnings of the day of God's returning favor ought not to have been highly valued. Their enemies also despised and ridiculed these feeble efforts. Yet all the friends of the work would at length rejoice, in seeing Zerubbabel successfully and skilfully sustain the character of the master-builder of the temple; and with his plummet in his hand take surveys of the work, to see that it was properly done, until the whole should be completed. (Marg. and Marg .
Ref . s, t.- Notes , Ezra 3:12, 13. Neh . 4:1-3. Dan . 2:34,35. Hag . 2:3-5. Matt . 13:31-33. 1 Cor . 1:26-31.) This he would do "with those seven," which some explain of seven of his principal assistants; but probably it alludes to the seven eyes, that were upon the foundation-stone; (3:9.) and which would still watch over and superintend end the work, till it was finished.
These "were the eyes of the LORD, LORD, &c." His omniscience and manifold wisdom, by which he providentially directs every event all over the earth, would concur with Zerubbabel, and order all things in subserviency to his success. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . u, x.-See on Note, 3:9,10, v. 10. Notes, 1:8-11. Am. 7:7-9.) Thus Christ began, continues to build, and will himself complete, his spiritual temple.
The small beginnings of his Gospel were despised by numbers: and the feeble efforts that are made in different places to promote his cause, or the first dawnings of his grace in new converts, are often contemned. Even the friends of the Gospel are apt to "despise the day of small things:" but they will all at length rejoice to see this great Builder carry on and complete his design; and to observe how "the eyes of the LORD" watch over the operations of his grace, from first to last; till at length angels and men will count them the grand themes of their admiring praise and adoration.
V. 11-14. The prophet was still ignorant of the meaning of "the two olive-trees;" especially of those branches, from which the oil was more immediately conveyed to the lamps: and upon inquiry he learned, that "they were the two anointed ones, which stood before the Lord of the whole earth." Zerubbabel and Joshua, the anointed ruler and high priest of Judah, who stood before the Lord, and were his instruments in the work of the temple, were "the anointed ones" intended: but they
were only types and shadows, (as the temple itself was,) of him who was to come. They therefore typified Christ, as anointed with the Holy Spirit without measure, to be the King and High Priest of the church, and to build, illuminate, and sanctify the spiritual temple. As the anointed High Priest, he obtained these gifts by his sacrifice of himself, his resurrection, and ascension into heaven; and through his continual and all prevailing intercession, they are communicated by him, as the anointed King of his church.
From the union of these two offices in his mysterious person, both God and man, this inexhaustible fulness of grace is derived and conferred. Thus the olive-branches of themselves distil the golden oil, through the two golden pipes, into the bowl: and from this fulness all receive that grace, which they require in their several places and services, through the means of grace, as the seven pipes fed the seven lamps of the candlestick.
It is plain, that the golden 'candlestick is the Jewish state, both civil and 'religious: and that the oil, with which the lights are supplied, is the Spirit of God.' Bp . Newcombe . And is it not equally plain, that Zerubbabel and Joshua were, in these transactions, ons, typical typical persons, types of Christ oun King and our High Priest? ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . See on Note , 2,3.- Notes , 2-7. 6:12,13. Ps . 2:4-6, ν . 6. 68:18. 89:19-37, υ. 20. 110:4. Eph . 4:7-13. Heb . 1:8,9. 7:1-3. Rev. 11:3–6. v. 4.)
Two golden pipes. (12) 'There were two 'greater greater pipes pipes in in the t candlestick, through which 'the oil was conveyed into the five lesser. (3)' Lowth .
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
We are so dull, and so soon weary of attending on spiritual things, that our gracious God must not only set them before us, but again and again by various methods awaken our attention.
The church contains all the knowledge, holiness, and consolation, which are to be found in this sinful world: and all this light comes from Christ, as its great Source. ( Note , 1 Tim . 3:14,15, v . 15.) He has formed his candlestick on earth of the most valuable materials, and with the most exquisite workmanship; and he has so arranged his word, his ordinances, his ministers, and people, that no part of the church may be destitute of "the light of life;" and that the whole may shine as "a light in the world."-Even when our ignorance or inattention deserves reproofs, if we ask wisdom of him, he will "give us liberally and not upbraid" us.
No human power or efforts can do good to the souls of men, except the Spirit of God work by them: nor can any authority or might prevent that good, which this divine Agent is pleased to do, often by feeble and unworthy instruments. To make known the Gospel throughout the world, and to render men wise, holy, and happy, we do not so much [859