Home Page for Information
Explore the Book Sunday School Lessons Outlines
Dependence
Zechariah 4:1-14 07-22-07
Introduction
An
angel of the Lord asked Zechariah
questions he could not answer. Now he
was the prophet of God but did not know the answers.
He learned even more his need to grow in Dependence.
Don’t all of us need that lesson?
1. The . . Angelic Vision
Concerning Dependence. 4:1-6
A. The . . Illumination Of
The
Vision. 4:1-3
4:1 The
angel who was speaking with me then returned and roused me as one
awakened out
of sleep. 2 He asked me, "What do
you see?" I replied, "I see a
solid gold lampstand there with a bowl on its top. It has seven lamps
on it and
seven channels for each of the lamps on its top. 3
There are also two
olive trees beside it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on
its
left."
B. The . .Inquiry Of The
Vision. 4:4-5
4 Then I asked the angel
who was speaking with me, "What are these, my lord?"
5
"Don't you know what they are?" replied the angel who was speaking
with me. I said, "No, my lord."
C. The . .Instruction Of The
Vision. 4:6
6 So he answered me,
"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by strength or by
might,
but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of Hosts.
God's building projects properly
done will never bring honor to man's strength, or might.
The Lord knows it is best for His people to
depend upon Him. He desires to
accomplish His work by empowering His people with the abilities, and
supernatural strength to accomplish His goals.
In the text God sends an angel to give a vision highlighting
ma's dependence. After the illumination of
the vision the
angel makes an inquiry to Zechariah and asks him what he sees. Zechariah also inquires about the details of
the vision, and the angel registers surprise that he does not
understand. The angel then gives
instruction simplifying
the meaning of the vision. Verse six of
the text is a very popular verse of scripture, and certainly indicates
why we
need to depend upon the Lord, and His power.
2. The . .
Authority Gained Through Dependence.
4:7-10
A. The
Authority . . Promised
For
Zerubbabel. 4:7
7 'What are you, great
mountain? Before Zerubbabel you
will become a plain. And he will bring out the capstone accompanied by
shouts
of: Grace, grace to it!'"
B. The
Authority . . Provided
To Zechariah
About Zerubbabel. 4:8-9
8 Then the word of the
LORD came to me: 9 "Zerubbabel's
hands have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will
complete it.
Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you.
C. The
Authority . . Plumbed
In
Zerubbabel's Hand. 4:10
10 For who scorns the
day of small things? These seven eyes of the LORD, which scan
throughout the
whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's
hand."
Authority comes through God's
grace. A person may not recognize God's
grace but it is there never the less.
Grace is unmerited favor to the lost and the saved.
To have authority one should recognize where
it comes from, and be dependent upon the source of authority. If a person is what we call, "self
made," he/she better recognize God allowed he/she to obtain such
authority. Zechariah received a promise
of authority to be given to Zerubbabel.
The all seeing eyes of God will rejoice as He beholds the plumb
line in
Zerubbabel's hand. Did Zerubbabel proceed
with the building without a recognition, and dependence, of his
authority given
under God's authority and provision? I
think not! He moved ahead against all
the obstacles Satan could muster, and grew in His dependence on the
Lord. Do you face a major task today? Depend upon the Lord to grant you the
necessary spiritual power to advance the physical gift gave you.
3. The . .
Advancement Gained Through Dependence.
4: 11-14
A. Advancement
Gained Through Dependent . . Admissions. 4:11-13
11 I asked him,
"What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the
lampstand?" 12 And I questioned him
further, "What are the two olive branches beside the two gold conduits,
from which golden oil pours out?" 13
Then he inquired of me, "Don't you know what these are?"
"No, my lord," I replied.
B. Advancement
Gained Through Dependent . . Answers. 4:14
14
"These are the two anointed ones," he said, "who stand by the
Lord of the whole earth."
I
went to seminary thinking I would come
out with all, or at least, most of the answers.
To
my surprise the most recognized, and brilliant professors seemed to
easily say,
“I don’t know.” Today I realize the more
you know the more you understand you don’t know, and admitting you
don’t know
guides you to be even more dependent upon the Lord.
Zechariah did not understand the meaning of
the olive trees and branches. The answer
the angel gave seemed to satisfy Zechariah, but still causes us to
question
what they mean. Most say they refer to
the offices of the anointed king, and priest.
That may very well be correct, but from this we learn anew our
need for
submissiveness to the Lord and Dependence.
Amen? Amen!