Zechariah 4:5 Study Bible: Then the angel who talked with me answered me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord."

◄ Zechariah 4:5 ►

"Do you not know what they are?" replied the angel. "No, my lord," I answered.

Do you not know what they are?
This question is posed by the angel to Zechariah, highlighting the prophet's need for divine revelation to understand the vision. In biblical context, visions often required interpretation by heavenly beings, as seen in Daniel 8:15-17. The question underscores the mystery of divine messages and the necessity of spiritual insight to comprehend God's plans. It reflects the broader theme of human limitation in understanding divine mysteries without God's intervention.

replied the angel.
Angels frequently serve as messengers and interpreters of God's will in Scripture. In Zechariah, the angel acts as a guide, similar to the role of Gabriel in the book of Daniel. This interaction emphasizes the importance of angels in conveying God's messages and providing clarity to His servants. The presence of the angel signifies the divine origin and authority of the vision.

No, my lord,
Zechariah's response indicates humility and a recognition of his own limitations. The term "my lord" is a respectful address, acknowledging the angel's superior knowledge and authority. This reflects the cultural context of the time, where respect for authority figures was paramount. It also illustrates the proper attitude of a servant of God, open to instruction and guidance.

I answered.
Zechariah's admission of not understanding the vision is a candid acknowledgment of his need for divine assistance. This transparency is a common trait among biblical prophets, who often express their dependence on God for wisdom and understanding. It highlights the relational aspect of prophecy, where the prophet engages in dialogue with God or His messengers to gain insight.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Zechariah
A prophet of the post-exilic period, Zechariah is the recipient of visions from God, intended to encourage the Jewish people as they rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

2. The Angel
A divine messenger who communicates God's visions and messages to Zechariah, guiding him through the symbolic imagery presented in the visions.

3. The Vision
This particular vision involves a golden lampstand and two olive trees, symbolizing God's provision and the empowerment of His Spirit for the rebuilding of the temple.

4. Jerusalem
The city where the temple is being rebuilt, representing the center of Jewish worship and the presence of God among His people.

5. The Post-Exilic Period
The time after the Babylonian exile when the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and restore their community.

Teaching Points

Understanding Divine Revelation
Just as Zechariah needed guidance to understand the vision, we too require the Holy Spirit's illumination to comprehend God's Word and His will for our lives.

God's Empowerment
The vision emphasizes that the rebuilding of the temple is not by human might but by God's Spirit. In our lives, we must rely on God's power rather than our own strength to accomplish His purposes.

The Role of Questions in Faith
Zechariah's question to the angel shows that seeking understanding is a vital part of faith. We should not hesitate to ask God for clarity and wisdom in our spiritual journey.

Symbolism of the Lampstand
The lampstand represents God's light and presence. As believers, we are called to be light in the world, reflecting God's glory and truth in our actions and words.

Encouragement in Times of Rebuilding
Just as the Israelites were encouraged during the temple's reconstruction, we can find hope and motivation in God's promises when rebuilding or restoring areas of our lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the interaction between Zechariah and the angel in Zechariah 4:5 encourage us to seek understanding in our spiritual walk?

2. In what ways can we rely on the Holy Spirit's empowerment in our daily lives, as illustrated by the vision of the lampstand?

3. How does the symbolism of the lampstand in Zechariah 4 connect to Jesus' teaching about being the light of the world in the New Testament?

4. What lessons can we learn from the post-exilic community's experience of rebuilding the temple that apply to our personal or communal "rebuilding" efforts today?

5. How can we cultivate a heart that is open to asking questions and seeking deeper understanding of God's Word, as demonstrated by Zechariah's response to the angel?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Revelation 1:12-20
The imagery of the lampstand is echoed in Revelation, where it represents the churches, highlighting the continuity of God's presence and light among His people.

1 Kings 6:23-28
The construction of the original temple by Solomon, providing historical context for the significance of the temple's rebuilding in Zechariah's time.

Haggai 2:4-5
A parallel encouragement to the people to be strong and work, for God is with them, reinforcing the message of divine support in their endeavors.

Sermons

The Learner and the Learned	W. Forsyth	Zechariah 4:5
The Church in Three Aspects	W. Forsyth	Zechariah 4:1-7
Man as a Student of the Divine Revelation and a Doer of Divine Work	D. Thomas	Zechariah 4:1-10
Man as a Student of the Divine Revelation and a Doer of Divine Work	Homilist	Zechariah 4:1-14
The Candelabrum and Olive Trees	W. L. Alexander, D. D.	Zechariah 4:1-14
The Candlestick	F. B. Meyer, B. A.	Zechariah 4:1-14
The Golden Candlestick	Outlines by a London Minister	Zechariah 4:1-14
The Vision of the Candlestick	George Hutcheson.	Zechariah 4:1-14

People

Zechariah, Zerubbabel

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Angel, Answereth, Answering, Hast, Messenger, Speaking, Spoke, Talked, Talking

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Zechariah 4:1-7

4112 angels, messengers

Zechariah 4:1-14

1431 prophecy, OT methods
4416 branch

Library

September 2. "Who Hath Despised the Day of Small Things" (Zech. Iv. 10).
"Who hath despised the day of small things" (Zech. iv. 10). The oak comes out of the acorn, the eagle out of that little egg in the nest, the harvest comes out of the seed; and so the glory of the coming age is all coming out of the Christ life now, even as the majesty of His kingdom was all wrapped up that night in the babe of Bethlehem. Oh, let us take Him for all our life. Let us be united to His person and His risen body. Let us know what it is to say, "The Lord is for the body and the body is …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Founder and Finisher of the Temple
'The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it.'--ZECHARIAH iv. 9. I am afraid that Zerubbabel is very little more than a grotesque name to most Bible-readers, so I may be allowed a word of explanation as to him and as to the original force of my text. He was a prince of the blood royal of Israel, and the civil leader of the first detachment of returning exiles. With Joshua, the high priest, he came, at the head of a little company, to Palestine, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Source of Power
'And the Angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold, a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, 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. 4. So I answered and spake to the Angel that talked with …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Independence of Christianity
Now, as this is true in the general of the great acts of God, this is equally true in the minutiae of them. It is true that God has a church, that that church has been redeemed and will be preserved for his glory, and it is equally true that everything that is done to the church, in the church, or for the church either with the permission or by the power of God, is for God's glory, as well as for the church's weal. You will notice, in reading Scripture, that whenever God has blessed the church, he …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Encouragement for the Depressed
"For who hath despised the day of small things?"--Zechariah 4:10. ZECHARIAH WAS ENGAGED in the building of the temple. When its foundations were laid, it struck everybody as being a very small edifice compared with the former glorious structure of Solomon. The friends of the enterprise lamented that it should be so small; the foes of it rejoiced and uttered strong expressions of contempt. Both friends and foes doubted whether, even on that small scale, the structure would ever be completed. They …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Power
"Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."--Zech. iv. 6. J. Tauler, 1361. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Rest from longing and desire O thou weary heart! Dost thou ween thy choice has been Not the lower but the higher, Thine the better part? And therefore dost thou long with bitter longing From the day dawn to the night. For the holiness, the rest of His beloved Who walk with Him in white? Thou art wearied with the striving and the yearning For the crown that thou wouldst …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

Conversion --Human Agency In
What part and responsibility pertain to the human will in this matter? Before we leave the subject of conversion, it is important that we consider and understand this question also. For on this point also grievous and dangerous views and practices prevail. Human nature tends to extremes. Here too, there is a tendency to go too far, either in the one direction or the other. There are those, on the one hand, who virtually and practically make this change of heart and of nature a human work. They …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

Gifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely Religious, and Pertaining to the Conscience.
Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters purely Religious, and pertaining to the Conscience. Since God hath assumed to himself the power and Dominion of the Conscience, who alone can rightly instruct and govern it, therefore it is not lawful [1226] for any whosoever, by virtue of any authority or principality they bear in the government of this world, to force the consciences of others; and therefore all killing, banishing, fining, imprisoning, and other such things which are inflicted …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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