“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.’” (Zech 4:6)
Fuel is the most important ingredient to the world. Without fuel nothing can run, because nothing on this planet is self-sufficient.
This fifth vision of Zechariah contains, perhaps, the most enigmatic of objects: two trees, a lampstand, a bowl, and (to top it all off) pipes between the objects. How could these possibly bring any message of worth, much less a note of encouragement, for 21st century life? A vision of God’s knowledge that spreads over the whole earth has led to another of his sovereign vengeance for those who thought they were getting away with persecuting God’s people, then a promise to make his people too numerous for containment lead to God cleansing his people to make them worthy to be a kingdom of priests; but, now, we find a couple trees and a strangely-piped menorah.
The focus here shifts indeed, from draftsman to master bricklayer. Take your eyes off of the brush strokes for a moment, and take in the entire painting. Find in these strokes that which so boldly furnishes the colors of God’s provision for his promises. The lamp of his covenant people will never go out because he is the tree, and oil from such a source never fails. God’s promises will shine like a light! Success will not be judged by the heat of his people, but by their fuel.
Do you not feel bright today? Have you sinned yet again, adding stain upon stain upon cleansed garments? Entreat the Vine: “Pour forth your fuel!” Yes–the promises do not blaze or flicker by your might, but by the Spirit’s constant renewing work in his people. “Whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice” because she who comes to the Father in Jesus’ name will by no means be cast out (4:10; John 6:37). The master builder will certainly complete the work he began in you!
Fuel is the most important ingredient to the life of the Christian, because no Christian is self-sufficient. As the fourth vision is about Jesus who cleanses us, this vision is about the Spirit who continually supplies us with strength to go on.
