The Church sustained.
"Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house," etc. These verses continue the metaphors of the previous portion, but in the opposite order. Zechariah 4:1-7 begin with the "olive trees" and end with the "house;" Zechariah 4:8-14 begin with the "house" (Zechariah 4:8-10) and conclude with the "trees." We may look on this latter passage, therefore, as a kind of additional message ("moreover," Zechariah 4:8) on the same general subject and to the same general purport as before. The principal difference is in connection with the questions of order and depth. As we learned before not a little, first as to the secret, and secondly as to the completeness, of the restored life of the Jewish Church, so here we learn very much more
I. ITS COMPLETENESS. As conveyed, we suppose, by what is said respecting the material "house" (or typical Church) then in process of erection. We find this described in Zechariah 4:9, Zechariah 4:10. And of the promise contained therein we may notice:
1. How peculiarly explicit it is. Not only is the work which Zerubbabel had begun to be finished; it is to be finished by "his hands," and therefore, of course, in his time. Not only, again, is it to be so far finished as to be capable, as it were, of habitation and use; but so far finished as to be ready for that most absolutely ultimate of all building processes, the process of testing the work done. How graphic the description of this! "They shall see the plummet in the hands of Zerubbabel."
2. How exceedingly deliberate it is. To start the work of erecting this temple—to begin such a true spiritual Church restoration—was a great thing. To accomplish it, a still greater. If accomplished, indeed, that of itself would be a sufficient proof of a true mission from God (see the end of Zechariah 4:9; also, to some extent, 2 Samuel 7:12, 2 Samuel 7:13). Especially would this be so in that "day of small things," when even well wishers—persons ready to "rejoice" in such a tiring, if really accomplished—as it were "despised" the idea. All this was known, all this was recognized, when the promise was given.
3. How fully assured it is. Was there not One "sent" to accomplish this, even that Angel-Jehovah represented by the "stone" of Zechariah 3:9? And was there not sent also, of necessity, together with him, a full supply of all that was necessary to accomplish these wonders? (See end of Zechariah 3:10, and the reference there to "those seven" eyes to be found on that "stone;" also Revelation 5:6; 2 Chronicles 16:9; and compare end of 2 Chronicles 16:6 in this chapter.) To secure that "stone" is to secure that sevenfold blessing, and all it involves.
II. ITS SECRET. A yet further point, in regard to this, seems revealed to us in that which comes next. It is not enough to have the blessing referred to, so to speak, in reversion. If the Church is to shine as a living witness, some channel of communication must be in existence by which it can be always supplied therewith without fail. To understand the emblem employed (as before described in Zechariah 3:3) to represent this, we may notice:
1. The prophet's ignorance of its meaning. See this five times referred to, viz. in Zechariah 3:4, Zechariah 3:5, 11, 12, 13. Whatever he meant, therefore, it is evidently something the nature of which is so far occult and secret that even the eyes of a prophet might fail to discern it at first.
2. The angel's surprise at his ignorance. "Knowest thou not?". The prophet ought to have discerned it, although he did not.
3. The explanation that follows. (Verse 14.) An explanation which seems to show us:
See illustrated here also, in conclusion:
1. God's great love for his people. He gives his Son for them in order, afterwards, to give them his Spirit as well (John 4:10; Galatians 4:4-6). He buys these earthen vessels for a sum beyond cost, in order, then, to fill them with an ointment which is also beyond cost!
2. God's great care for his Church. Whatever the objects of the "ministry of angels," God has entrusted specially to men the duty of keeping alight among men the "candlestick" of his truth. How often this light has been all but extinct (Genesis 6:5-8; Genesis 12:1 compared with Joshua 24:2; 1 Samuel 3:1; 1 Samuel 7:3; 1 Kings 19:10, 1 Kings 19:14; Psalms 12:1; Isaiah 53:1; Micah 7:2; Revelation 11:7-10)! Yet how wonderfully preserved throughout; and to be preserved to the end (Matthew 16:18)!
HOMILIES BY W. FORSYTH