In the previous vision, God had given great encouragement to Joshua the high priest. In this vision, He gives comparable encouragement to Zerubbabel, the civil leader. Joshua represents the priestly power, and Zerubbabel represents the civil authority. They were united in Melchizedek, separated throughout the history of Israel, and then reunited in Christ. The type of that reunion is seen here, under the figure of Joshua and Zerubbabel.
Zechariah is given a vision of a lampstand with two olive trees on either side of it. This lampstand does not look like the menorah, which was unknown prior to the first century BC. This was a cylinder with a bowl on top, and seven “lamps” containing (what I take to be) seven wicks each, for a total of forty-nine lights. Zechariah does not know the meaning of this, but it takes a while for him to get a straight answer from the interpreting angel. First, the angel gives a word concerning Zerubbabel, and then gives the meaning of the vision. The olive trees are the “anointed ones” and the lampstand represents the people of God. In Revelation, we have seven lamps, here we have one.
The angel “awakened” Zechariah, as though from a sleep (v. 1). “What do you see?” Zechariah can report what he sees, but he does not understand it (v. 2-3). He sees the lamp, and a tree on either side. He does not know what it means (v. 4) “Do you not see?” The angel asks whether Zechariah gets it. He doesn’t. And the angel does not yet answer the question directly. Instead, he injects a word of encouragement for Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel is the civil ruler of the exiles. He has no doubt been discouraged in the lack of success in getting the Temple built again. He laid the foundations (Ez. 3:8), and yet the project was bogged down. God encourages him with a remarkable prophecy. God works by His Spirit, and not by our ideas of power (v. 6). Don’t be discouraged by the tiny starts, by the small beginnings.
Too many assume that “not by might, not by power” means “not by anything.” But God promises here remarkable results from unlikely sources, not from nonexistent sources. He does not promise predictable results from all the usual sources. The mountains of opposition will become a level plain before Zerubbabel (v. 7). He will place the capstone on the Temple. The result will be grace and beauty.
Four years later, when Zerubbabel finished the Temple, the people will know that the prophecy is true (vv. 8-9). This was completed (on the earthly level) four years later. But much more is involved. So do not despise the day of small starts (v. 10). The Lord who sees with seven eyes will ensure the success of His work throughout all the earth.
Back to the interpretation — the thing that puzzles Zechariah is the presence of the olive trees. What are they (v. 11)? In asking the question he reveals that they are the source of oil for the lamp (v. 12). The answer is that these two are the anointed ones (vv. 13-14). These two “anointed ones” are Joshua and Zerubbabel, who, in themselves, are not a source of golden oil for the church. But in their “typical role,” they represent Christ, who is.
Following our practice, we can also look to the New Testament to teach us what this passage means. This involves a shaking of heaven and earth. The Bible teaches that Zerubbabel is a type of the coming Messiah. In Haggai 2:21, we see that his work in rebuilding the temple points to the coming Christ. The author of Hebrews explicitly teaches this (12:25-29). We as Christians are receiving a kingdom represented under the figure of a lonely Jewish governor. So do not despise small beginnings.
And the two witnesses of Revelation (11:4) are explicitly described under the image given us by Zechariah. They are the people of God, considered in a priestly and royal light, and finding their final identity in Christ, the true Witness.
We are not called to serve God in our own strength, or according to the dictates of our own wisdom. The task is not accomplished by might or by strength, but by the Spirit. The Spirit delights in beginnings which offend us. The water trickles out from the threshold of the temple (Ez. 47), the mustard seed grows to a great plant (Matt. 13:31), the twig becomes a great cedar (Ez. 17), the small stone fills the earth (Dan. 2). This is not done by the arm of our strength, but it is in fact done. Two errors must be avoided at all costs. One is to think that we can do this. The other is to think that we cannot.