Get The Picture

Then the angel who had been talking with me returned and woke me, as though I had been asleep. “What do you see now?” he asked. I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each having seven spouts with wicks. And I see two olive trees, one on each side of the bowl.” Then I asked the angel, “What are these, my lord? What do they mean?” “Don’t you know?” the angel asked. “No, my lord,” I replied. Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’” [Zechariah 4.1-7]

Just about the time I think maybe I am having some understanding of the Bible, I come across passages like the one above and realize I am clueless!

The overriding thought seems to be that the lamp is well equipped to provide sufficient light. It sounds to me like there are seven lamps attached to the central bowl and each of the seven lamps has seven spouts/wicks for a total of 49 flames of light. I can imagine these 49 flickering flames have the potential to produce quite sufficient illumination - not to mention an ambiance that only combined flames of fire can produce.

And then, there are the two olive trees beside the lamp which can only indicate that the source of fuel for this elaborate lamp is not in jeopardy. The presentation of two trees simply confirms that the source is secure.

But what does this picture mean?

It is described to mean that the power of a man is insufficient. Throughout the Bible, the Holy Spirit is often represented by a lamp. Illumination is the work of the Spirit. Evidently, while strength is good, illumination is better. Illumination goes far beyond just strength. The Spirit of God far surpasses any accomplishment of man.

Father, I am guessing You have a Word for me in this passage of Scripture today. Help me to "see" it! Help me to get the picture!