Bible Commentary

Zechariah 4:1-7

Matthew Henry on Zechariah 4:1-7

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

The prophet's spirit was willing to attend, but the flesh was weak. We should beg of God that, whenever he speaks to us, he would awaken us, and we should then stir up ourselves. The church is a golden candlestick, or lamp-bearer, set up for enlightening this dark world, and holding forth the light of Divine revelation.

Two olive trees were seen, one on each side the candlestick, from which oil flowed into the bowl without ceasing. God brings to pass his gracious purposes concerning his church, without any art or labour of man; sometimes he makes use of his instruments, yet he needs them not.

This represented the abundance of Divine grace, for the enlightening and making holy the ministers and members of the church, and which cannot be procured or prevented by any human power. The vision assures us that the good work of building the temple, should be brought to a happy end.

The difficulty is represented as a great mountain. But all difficulties shall vanish, and all the objections be got over. Faith will remove mountains, and make them plains. Christ is our Zerubbabel; mountains of difficulty were in the way of his undertaking, but nothing is too hard for him.

What comes from the grace of God, may, in faith, be committed to the grace of God, for he will not forsake the work of his own hands.

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commentaryThe Vision of the Golden Candlestick; The Building of the Temple Encouraged. (b. c. 520.)THE VISION OF THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK; THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE ENCOURAGED. (B. C. 520.) Here is, I. The prophet prepared to receive the discovery that was to be made to him: The angel that talked with him came and wak…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 4:1The angel that talked with me. The interpreting angel is meant. Came again, and waked me. It is thought that the angel, who is said (Zechariah 2:3) to have gone forth, now rejoined the prophet and renewed his colloquy w…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 4:1-10Man as a student of the Divine revelation and a doer of Divine work. "And the angel that talked with me," etc. "It is needful to keep in mind that all these successive scenes were presented to the mind of the prophet in…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 4:1-7The Church revived. "And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me," etc. The imagery of these verses is twofold; but their subject seems one. By the "candlestick" expressly mentioned in Zechariah 4:2 (comp…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 4:1-14EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 4:1-14§ 7. The fifth vision: the golden candlestick.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 4:1-7The Church in three aspects. I. SYMBOLICALLY REPRESENTED. (Zechariah 4:2, Zechariah 4:3.) Candelabrum. II. DEVOUTLY CONTEMPLATED. (Zechariah 4:5.) Humble, earnest, reverent inquiry. III. DIVINELY INTERPRETED. 1. The uni…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 4:2On seeing. The question, "What seest thou?" suggests— I. THE SLUMBER OF THE SOUL. (Zechariah 4:1.) Want of consciousness and activity. Delusions (Isaiah 29:7), Peril (Mark 13:36). II. THE AWAKENING OF THE SOUL. (Zechari…Joseph S. Exell and contributors