Zechariah 4

Zechariah 4:1

CAme againe] It is likely that there was some space of time between those visions; during which time, the Prophet in his extasie was, as it were, asleepe: that is to say; without any light of Propheticke revelation; without any action or motion of the spirit to him.

Zechariah 4:2

A candlestick] It seemes he would shew the mysticall meaning of Moses his candlestick: Exodus 25:31. to the description of the making whereof, here are some parts added belonging to the mysterie. The Candlestick is the Church; the bowle above it, is Christ, who hath received of the Father the fulnesse of the Spirit; signified by the oyle to powre it upon his Church: John 1:16; John 3:34. Acts 2:33. And as the oyle is pressed out of the Olive; which is, as it were, the lively spring of it: so all these gifts and graces proceed from that Christ, hath been annoynted and consecrated for an everlasting King and Priest; the seven lamps are the severall operations of the Spirit in the faithfull; all in fervencie of life and motion, and in light of faith and understanding, whose chiefe use is to carry the lampe of Gods Word in the world; and to cause his glory to shine therein: Matthew 5. 15 16. Philippians 2:15. The seven pipes are the severall meanes of the communication of the spirituall and mysticall power of Christ to his members: Ephes. 4. 16 Seven pipes] Which you must imagine to be in the bottome of the bowle, to distribute the oyle to each lampe.

Zechariah 4:3

By it] the Italian, Over it] that is to say; On the side of it; but in such manner, that the branches might hang above the bowle.

Zechariah 4:5

Knowest thou not] This is spoken to inflame the Prophets desire to know the truth of it, and to shew him that this was the meaning of Moses his ancient candlestick; of which he might by some meanes have learned the signification.

Zechariah 4:6

This is] This vision is especially directed to Zerubbabel to strengthen him in his charge of politick head of the people, as the other was for Joshua the Ecclesiasticall head Not by night] I have caused thee to see in this figure; that the subsistance of my Church, is not in the same kind as that of worldly Empires; in force of armes and might; but in a lively internall action of my Spirit: wherefore be not dismaied in thy mind, O Zerubbabel! if worldly strength doe faile thee, my spirit and power shall supply all; as well for the re-establishment of the materiall temple, as for the spirituall conduct and preservation of the Church: see Hosea 1:7.

Zechariah 4:7

Who art thou?] The Empires which oppresse the Church; though they be great, yet shall they be beaten downe by the stone: Daniel 2:34. which is Christ, figured by Zerubbabel: See Zechariah 14:10 Shall bring forth] It shall be shewen to the world at the appointed time, and exalted above all worldly greatnesse: Daniel 2:35 The head stone] Or corner stone; or front-stone: see Psal. 118. 22 With] The Angels, the faithfull; and all creatures rejoycing at Christs Kingdome established in the world, shall desire God the Father to heape all manner of blessing and happinesse upon it: See Psal. 118. 26. or they shall acknowledge and preach that the Father hath laid up in him all the treasures of his grace and gifts of his Spirit.

Zechariah 4:9

That the Lord] Seeing the Lord, v. 8. is he that saith; That the Lord hath sent him: we must of necessitie conclude that there are here two persons; the one, the Sonne who is sent; and the other, the Father that sendeth him, both one onely God, and everlasting Lord: as Isaiah 48:16. and Zechariah 2:8.

Zechariah 4:10

For who] A reproofe of many Jewes prophane contempt, in those weake beginnings of the Churches restauration For they shall] Notwithstanding all their disdaine and diffidencie; they shall one day have occasion to rejoyce, seeing the worke perfected Those seven] Of which, Zech. 3. 9. and 5. 6. the meaning is; my providence shall as soveraigne architect, over-see this work, whose director Zerubbabel is, to blesse it, direct it, and accomplish it.

Zechariah 4:12

And I] It seemes, that in this vision, when the mystery of the institution of the Church by the Messias was shewen to the Prophet, Hee saw two great olive trees, v. 3. But when God called him backe to that which belonged to the re-edifying of the materiall temple, by Zerubbabel, the resemblance of these two trees was suddenly changed into the resemblance of two small branches, to signifie. Zerubbabel and Jerusalem, figures of Christ in his Kingdome and Priesthood; wherefore likewise it is no more said, that they give oyle into the great bowle, but onely to the lamps two little spouts; to shew the difference that there is between Christ the Author, Possessor and Distributor of the fulnesse of the goods of the spirit in inward efficacie; and his Ministers, as well in the Ecclesiasticall as Politique order (which are the two spoutes) who have but a small measure of gifts; nor no property nor power to administer (by vertue of these two foresaid orders) any thing but the externall meanes of the influence of Christs mysticall, universall, and effectuall conduct of his Church The golden] namely; The pure yellow oyle, which did shine like Gold.

Zechariah 4:14

These] Hee doth not answer concerning the question of the Olive trees; but onely concerning the Olive branches: for by understanding of these, it is an easie matter to comprehend the meaning of the Olive trees, by comparison and proportion The two] namely; Zerubbabel and Joshua, two sacred persons, by reason of the holy unction, to be Gods Ministers and figures of Christ.