Evening star., 1905-10-28

THE PROPHET.-Zechariah first ad-
dress. which appears on its face to be in
troductory (chapter i:D, is dated In the
eighth month in the second year OF Darius,
(B. C.. 800, two months after the first
prophecy of Haggai alag. i:D. The two
men were therefore for a time contempo-
rary and they acted in concert I'm the com
mencement of their labors SO far as con-
cerned their first object namely. the re-
building of the temple. In this Haggai led
the way, and then left the work to the
younger man. But Zechariah did not con-
fine his prophetic activity to this narrow
scope. His utterances take in the whole
character and condition of the covenant
people, their present dangers and discour-
agements. their tendencies to Journalism and
self-deception, their relation to the sur
rounding heather and their influence upon
the future of the world. To many his writ
ings are obscure because he deals largely in
symbolic and figurative language.
THE VISION oversees 1-3).-our lesson
pertains to the fifth of eight visions granted
These, given one at time. set forth an or
derly progress Of thought which may be
had only by reading the entire series, from
chapter ~ to Wis. This vision may be called
'the golden candlestck with the two olive
trees" The candlestick was formed. after
the pattern Of one in the tabernacle QEx,
xXv:21-3O, but with some remarkable va
riations. 1t had a round vessel on the top,
seven feeding tubes for each lamp, and two
trees at its side, none of which were in the
original In the sanctuary. The candlestick
represents the church as the appointed light
bearer in dark world. This view Is con-
flrmed by several passages in the New Tes-
lament (Matt. Via, spoken by Christ and
Paul Phil. ii:15). and by the. statement of
the angel explaining a somewhat similar
vision to John in Patmos Grew, i:20).
CITE =.
all this mean? Zechariah was convinced
that some important truth was to be COM
municated to him, but he was unable to in
terpret the picture, or, IL he had some
conjecture concerning the significance of 1t.
he desired to be assured. Hence he asked
an explanation from the angel who had been
speaking with him. The angels counter
question implied that the prophet might
have learned the object of the vision from
the analogy of the golden candlestick in the
holy place. Here a question arises for our
consideration. Why did God present to his
servant that which was in itself so mys-
teriouS as to require an explanation? Why
was not the message spoken at once in its
simplest form? Because the visual method
was adopted to the undeveloped mind, cal
culated to convince one of a supernatural
presence. This was the reason for the burn
ing bush Gx-, iii:3) seen by Moses and
the cloven tongues that appeared to the
apostles (Acts, ii:3).
THE MEANING (verse 6).-The angel
taught Zechariah. The vision was an EN-
bodied prophecy intended primarily for the
guidance and comfort of Zerubbabel. Its
substance was mot by might, nor by power
but by my spirit" The work which the He
brew governor has undertaken will be car
ried out not by human strength in any form,
but by the spirit of God. The candlestick
gave light, but it could not do this unless
supplied with oil in sufficient quantity.
Hence the symbolism. So all that was need
full for the maintenance of the church of
God. including the rpStOra tiOr of tha
at that time the material center, could be
attained only by the same agency. The
teaching here is the same as that given
by Jesus who required the apostles to walt
until they were imbued with the Holy
Ghost duke xxix:49), whose power was
actually REVEALED at Pentecost (Acts, H:1D.
THE OBSTACLES (verse O.-The in
terpreter of the vision next contemplates
Zerubbabel Streng gthened he may be by
the spirit of God, and SO prepared for the
great work before him. The difficulties in
his way, both numerous and formidable,
should be overcome. These appeared to
stand out conspicuously like a mountain.
which should become plain. This figure of
speech was employed by Jesus in an address
to the disciples Matt, xvii:29), when he
declared their ability in his service. 1t is
in full harmony with all those utterances in
which by the help of God men are said to be
made strong. Listen to Paul's confident as
sertions phil, iV:13 and see the promise
to those who abide in Christ Uohn, xv:7.
Read the exhortation of Timothy g Tim.
IT'D, and to the Ephesian Church, Eph.,
vi:10) both based on the great truth that
a man may triumph over obstacles and
accomplish the good work he undertakes If
only God is with him.
THE SUCCESS oversees 7-1o).-Now
comes a specific prediction that Zerubbabel
would complete the temple which he had be-
gun This great Jewish leader, who laid
the foundation stone, should also bring forth
the cap stone amidst loud acclamations of