ZECHARIAH 4

ZECHARIAH’S FIFTH VISION SHOWS ZERUBBABEL + JESHUA AS ANOINTED LEADERS 

In his next vision, Zechariah dreams of an elaborate lampstand with seven lamps and two olive trees. In the temple, the oil for the lamps must be replaced, but in the vision, the lamps are refilled by the oil of the olive trees.

This dream is interpreted as showing how Jeshua, the high priest, and Zerubbabel, the governor of Israel, are anointed as leaders among the Israelites. These two men, through the help of God’s Spirit, will be responsible for the rebuilding of the temple. Zerubbabel’s leadership in rebuilding the temple is also recorded in Ezra 3–6, where he leads the exiles in laying the temple foundation despite facing opposition.