The National tribune., 1893-01-26
SUNDAY MEDITATION,
A Study of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for Jan.
90, 1893.

Subject. The Source of Church Sight and
Strength. Zech., 4 Ito.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated aboye.!
INTRODUCTION.
We are now to consider the fifth vision
granted to the Prophet Zechariah. We may
state the five thus:
a. The Rider and the Myrtle Grove.
b. The Horns and the Workmsn.
C. The Man aud the Measuring line.
d. The High Priest and Satan.
e. The Candelabrum and Olive Trees
We must keep in mind the status Of things.
Zerubbabei reached Jerusalem from Babylon
Il. G. 536. In little while he set about laying
the foundations of the Temple. In the year
55S B. G. Nebuchadnezzar had practically made
it total ruin. In about year after Zerubba-
bells arrival at Jerusalem. and when only
foundation work on the Temple had been done.
so much opposition sprang up that the labor on
the Temple ceased, and for about ID years it
was suspended. 1t was an enterprise demand
ing sacrifice and toll, and in the best of circum
stances would have been very great under
taking. II demanded union and undivided
application. Opposition then proved damag-
ing obstacle The Samaritans were bitter and
obstinate in resisting the efforts of the Jews.
1t ia not so wonderful the builders became
quite demoralzed. They had Just returned
from captivity. Most of them had been born
in captivity. 1t s always found that men de-
generate in courage when enslaved, and some
time is required 10 regain the animation and
resistance power toward enemies which come
from free birth and environment. We see the
work which faced the two Prophets, Haggai
and Zechariah. They were TO infuse courage,
rouse energy, fire conscience. As things stood
there was call to stir up Zerubbabel and Joshua.
Those two men must have assurances of success
to give zest for renewed effort at Temple build
ing.
We see how to view the call to Zechariah.
The will of the Almighty must be made known
to the leaders of the people. The Spirit of God
must animate the builders, the Holy Spirit
who
Enables, with perpetual light
The dizziness of our blinded sight"
What men want-men who believe God and
in Gods a consciousness God wants q certain
work done; wants them Ia certain people, to
do it, and is willing to help them. Then
comes in the idea of operation-God and
man working together. Added to this inspir-
ing idea is the thought the work to be effected
must be very important, since it engages Gods
attention aud aid.
Rev. w. Lindsay Alexander, D. d., Edin-
burg Scotland, said The whole purport of
this vision is to assure the accomplishment of
the Divine power through the agency of Gods
appointed servant, Zerabbabel, of the great work
in which the people were engaged. But Zerub-
babel was not alone: Joshua. the High Priest,
was associated with him, was equally with him
an instrument in Gods hand for the accom-
plshment of the work, aud in the preceding
vision had been represented as standing before
the Lord as His accepted servant. From an
early period, accordingly, these two have been
regarded symboically represented in this
vision by the two conduits, the possessors of
oil, through which the oil flowed to the pipes
of the candelabrum; aud this Interpretation,
which is that Of Kimchi, has been generally
accepted by commentators. Zerubbabel and
Joshua, however, were not mere individual
agents; they were representative men, the one
of the royal and the other of the priestly office
in Israel. 1t is the Office, then, rather than the
individual, that is here represented"
Spurgeon remarks in this matter: "He
meaning God raises up chosen men, perhaps
only two sometimes more, who live and grow,
and in their life and growth they bring forth,
by Gods grace, as from their very souls, the
cred truth. the holy oil with which the lamp
| of God is kept burning"
We have three leading characters: Zerub-
babel, Joshua, acknowledgements, Church.
prophet Zerubbabel is represented by one of
the olive trees, furnishing oil to the caGdeiabra;
Joshua, by the other olive tree. Ministry and
laity both essential to the Church-the
candeabra The seven-eyed One-He who
sees and knows all things-Jehovah-wa
and protects Church and State-priest and
prince.
The CANDELABRUM AND OLIVE TREES.
!. Data.
We study the first ten verses of the fourth
chapter of the Prophecy of Zechariah. It con-
ssts OF a vision seen by that prophet, and its
explanation. The vision is known as that of
the Candeabrum. The description of il covers
\ a
z. Then follows prophecy. For the purposes
of study we could follow this division of the
subject-Vision. Interpretion, Prophecy.
2 Time.
The work on the Temple foundations began
B. C. 535, and ceased B. c. 534, by reason of op-
position from enemies. Work was suspended
for IA to Is years, being resumed B. c. $50.
3. Place.
The facts of the lesson center at Jerusalem.
Probably the visions granted to Zechariah were
seen by him at his home in that city. We re-
member there was then no Temple. Only its
foundations had been laid.
4. Persons
These are yet Zerubbabel, the Governor
of Judea; Joshua, the High Priest. and Zecha-
rah, the Prophet. See former lessons as to
these, in full. As to the Angel who held the
interviews with the prophet, see 1:9, 10; 2: 3;
5: 5, 10.
5. Notes
l. Walked me. ". L. Either the prophet
was asleep, or else he was in a state of abstrac-
tion thinking deeply of the former visions.
2. Candlestck. ". 81 For description of
the in the Tabernacle of Moses, see Ex.
%: 31-40 There was a central stock with
three stems from two opposite sides, forming
seven lights, all in line with each other as to
hight. The lights were rather lamps than
candles. The whole candeabrum was of gold.
In the case of the one shown Zechariah there
were two olive trees the branches of which
furnish oil to the seven lamps The number
seven-seyen lamps, seven pipes, points to the
idea of neutrality-suspicious. of oil, perfection
of light. The lamps in the Tabernacle needed
constant attention. Oil was supplied by the
priests. The oil burned was olive oil, and in
the vision two olive trees supply the oil direct.
1t is thought We are to understand that our
light and strength as Christians are supplied
direct from our Heavenly Father. The oil is
the symbol of the Holy Spirit. So we see the
significance of the words in V. g." not by
might, nor by power. but by my spirit saith
the Lord of hosts" The Church as Candida
Drum and each Christian light are to be
supplied with grace from supernatural sources.
Zerubbabel as individual felt incompetent
to go with the work of the Temple. The
people were discouraged. 1t was well to teach
them that they were to depend not exclusively
nor mostly on themselves but on divine help.