Catholic Commentary on Zechariah 4

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)

The Gold Lampstand and Olive Trees

The angel wakes Zechariah and shows him a solid gold lampstand with seven lights and seven channels to the lights, and two olive trees on each side. The word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty. What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!' The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. Who despises the day of small things? For the seven eyes of the LORD, which range throughout the earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

The Catechism identifies the Spirit who levels the mountain as the divine power that accomplishes what human strength cannot: the foundation of the Church is laid and completed not by human capacity but by the Spirit (CCC 747).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit. Zerubbabel faces a mountain: the rebuilt temple seems impossible given the poverty of the returnees, the opposition of neighbours, the memory of Solomon's glory. The mountain is addressed directly: become level ground. The instrument of the levelling is not greater might or greater power but the Spirit. Where human capacity ends, the Spirit begins.

Prayer

Lord God, level the mountains before us by your Spirit, not by our might or power. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

4
The Vision of the Lampstand and Olive Trees
Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and woke me, as a man is awakened from his sleep.
 
“What do you see?” he asked.
 
“I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps. There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left.”
 
“What are these, my lord?” I asked the angel who was speaking with me.
 
“Do you not know what they are?” replied the angel.
 
“No, my lord,” I answered.
 
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’ ”
 
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel 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. 10 For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes * 4:10 Or facets of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line 4:10 Or the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel.”
 
11 Then I asked the angel, “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 pipes from which the golden oil 4:12 Hebrew from which the gold pours?”
 
13 “Do you not know what these are?” he inquired.
 
“No, my lord,” I replied.
 
14 So he said, “These are the two anointed ones § 4:14 Hebrew the two sons of new oil who are standing beside the Lord of all the earth.”* 4:14 See Revelation 11:4.

*4:10 4:10 Or facets

4:10 4:10 Or the chosen capstone

4:12 4:12 Hebrew from which the gold

§4:14 4:14 Hebrew the two sons of new oil

*4:14 4:14 See Revelation 11:4.