Mountains and Mustard Seeds
Zechariah 4:1–14
📖 Scripture
1 Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep.
2 He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps.
3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”
4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied.
6 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 Almighty.
7 “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!’”
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me:
9 “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.
10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
11 Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”
12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”
13 He replied, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I said.
14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”
💡 Scripture Summary
Zechariah is awakened by the angel and shown a gold lampstand with a bowl and seven lamps, and two olive trees beside it. The angel gives him God’s encouragement to Zerubbabel. Zechariah asks about the olive trees and the angel answers that they are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord.
📜 Memory Verse
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
– Zechariah 1:3
🔎 Reflection
Mountains into Valleys (4:1–7)
Zechariah’s vision now shifts to a lampstand of solid gold with seven lamps on it, along with one olive tree on each side of the lampstand. God also gives him a message of encouragement for Zerubbabel, the leader of the people, with the promise to turn a high mountain into level ground before him. Like the returning exiles and their leaders, some of us face a mountain of obstacles. By mere human effort, our obstacles are unconquerable. But the promise of God to Zerubbabel, and to all His servants facing impossible challenges is that His Spirit will raze the mountains into level paths. We will face overwhelming tasks, but God never leads us into difficulties without making a way for us to be able to go through them.
Is there a word or phrase in this passage that stands out to you? What comes to your mind as you consider what God may be saying to you through this particular word or phrase?
God of Small Things (4:8–14)
God promises success for Zerubbabel in his work of rebuilding the temple. He warns His people not to despise the day of small things since His own eyes rejoice at Zerubbabel’s small beginnings on this momentous task. God is the God of the small, the despised, and the weak. He uses boys with slingshots to bring down giants, small bands of faithful warriors to overcome vast armies, and a blood-stained cross to defeat the arrogant powers on earth and in the heavenly places. Don’t think for one moment that your calling and ministry is of little or no account. In the eyes of God, it is a mustard seed that will have a vital place and purpose in His Kingdom.
In what ways does this passage remind you of the differences between God’s ways and the ways of the world? What small thing is God’s Spirit calling you to rejoice in today?
💬 Today’s Inspiration
“Ordinary work matters to God because ordinary people matter to God.”
– Courtney Reissig
🙏 Prayer
Lord God, You are the source of my strength. You alone are all I need to confront and overcome any obstacle the enemy places in my way. Your promises are certain. May I rise up in faith, believing that nothing is impossible with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
🖋 Essay
God’s Plans Always Prevail
Do you ever feel discouraged? No matter how hard you try, things just don’t seem to be working out for you. I have felt this way many times throughout my life. I’ve seen something that I wanted and raced forward at full speed. The problem was, I did not stop to ask the Lord if it was His will for me. When God doesn’t bless something, no matter how much time and effort we put into it, we won’t succeed, because it is not meant for us.
The good news is that the reverse is also true. Whatever incredible plan God has for you, nothing in this world will be able to get in the way of you achieving it. This passage reminds us that it’s not by our own power or might, but by God’s spirit that we are able to accomplish amazing things for His glory.
I remember one instance in my life where this truth was very clear. God opened the door for me to work at a wonderful Christian international school in South Korea. I heard about the opportunity, applied for the job, had an interview and was hired all within a matter of days. Because God wanted me in that position, every obstacle was removed and He fit all the pieces together for me to succeed. If you are praying for something specific, don’t be discouraged. Pray for God’s will to be done then trust in His perfect timing; He will flatten every mountain in order for His amazing plans to be accomplished in your life.
Written by Natasha Spiers