NOT BY MIGHT NOR POWER BUT BY MY SPIRIT
Zechariah 4:1-14
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. (6)
chapter 4
1. Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep.
2. He asked me, "What do you see?" I answered, "I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps.
3. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left."
4. I asked the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?"
5. He answered, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I replied.
6. 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.
7. "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!’"
8. Then the word of the LORD came to me:
9. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.
10. "Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?"
11. Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?"
12. Again I asked him, "What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?"
13. He replied, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I said.
14. So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve the LORD of all the earth."
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. Zechariah saw a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven channels from the bowl to the lamps (2). Two olive trees, one on each side of the lampstand, supplied oil for the lamps (12). The vision was related to rebuilding the temple (7-10). Zerubbabel led the people in laying the foundation of the temple (Ez 3:8-10). But a mountain of work remained. Furthermore, what had already been accomplished seemed so small that many despised the work (Haggai 2:1-9).
2. The vision was an encouragement for Zerubbabel. All obstacles would be cleared, and one day, he would set the temple capstone (7-9). People would one day see the capstone in Zerubbabel’s hands and rejoice (10). This would not happen by human strength or ingenuity. God’s Spirit would empower Zerubbabel for this important work. As the olive trees continually supplied oil for the lampstand to burn bright, so God would supply all that was needed for the temple work. Like the lamp, God’s presence would shine brightly into a dark world.
3. What work does God have for you? It cannot be done by human might, power, or zeal. Ask God’s Spirit to work through you today.
Prayer: Father, thank you for the promised Holy Spirit for all who believe in Jesus. Please work through us by your Spirit to accomplish your will!
One Word: By God’s Spirit