Not By Might, Nor By Power, But By My Spirit

Zechariah 4:1-7

Key Verse 06: Then 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.

1. V1. How does Zechariah describe the experience of talking with the angel? What could this 'waking up' indicate about Zechariah's current viewpoint and the wisdom that he is about to receive?
2. V2-3. What does Zechariah see and what could the vision be communicating?
   1. What could the lampstand symbolize?
   2. What could the two Olive trees symbolize? How are they related to the lampstand?
3. V4-5. What does Zechariah ask the angel? What does this reveal about prayer and how to understand things of the kingdom of heaven?
4. V6-7. What message is given to Zerubbabel? What does the word “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” mean for Zerubbabel?
   1. What mountain might Zerubbabel be facing at this time?
5. In the same way that Joshua had the cornerstone set before him, Zerubbabel is given the top stone / capstone, what could this infer?

Notes:

Zechariah chapter 3 addresses one of the two spiritual leaders: Joshua the high priest. In chapter 3 we saw how God solved Joshua’s problems of sin and gave him clear direction to obey God's commands and to use the cornerstone (Jesus) that was put before him.

In Zechariah chapter 4 the focus is now brought to Zerubbabel, the governor and de facto king of Israel.

What problems might Zerubbabel be facing at this time, and how might the words of the Lord and the vision that zechariah sees encourage him?

Definition of top stone/capstone:

The original definition of a capstone focuses on the actual stone placed at the top of a wall or building, marking the successful completion of the structure. It is a significant and celebrated piece of architecture, considered to be the most important of an entire construction project.

Ref image