Глава 4

Zechariah 4:1. Having come to lift me up, as when a man arises from his sleep, Zechariah 4:2. And he said to me: what do you see? And he said: I saw, and behold, the whole candlestick was golden, and the lamp was on top of it, and the seven lamps were on top of it, and the seven bowls were the lamps on top of it, Zechariah 4:3. And two olive trees were on top of it, one was on the right hand of its lamp, and one was on its side. In all this, something else was covertly portrayed. For the “golden candlestick” was now shown by the Angel to the Prophet as an image of Divine Providence, which governs both heavenly and earthly; “seven lamps”, equal to the seven days of the week, represent the continuity and incessibility of God’s Providence; “seven cups” pouring out oil signify the abundant generosity of God’s love for mankind. Thus, the Angel secretly meant “the luminary” to mean the illuminating grace of everything, and “two olive trees” that flourished on both sides, he called the royal and priestly ranks, beautifully adorned with divine grace, and two branches extending to the lamps - Jesus and Zerubbabel, who came, one from the priestly, and the other from the royal tribe, since for those who are led by human thoughts, it seemed it is incredible and extremely doubtful that such a small number of people, poor people who barely finally escaped their long captivity, would perform such a number of such valiant feats; then God confirmed His promise to those shown to the Prophet, teaching thereby that success would depend not on their strength, but on His grace. And we were taught this interpretation by the Master Himself, who showed this vision to the Prophet. For, to his question, what is hiddenly meant by what is being shown, the divine Angel said: Zechariah 4:6. This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying: “Not in great power, nor in strength, but in My Soul,” says the Lord Almighty. Do not despair, Zerubbabel, in the fulfillment of what was predicted, looking at your present weakness, and having succeeded, do not attribute the victory to yourself; because, assisted by My grace, you will erect a sign of victory over these nations. Then he turns his speech to these very peoples: Zechariah 4:7. Why are you a great city, before the face of Zerubbabel, to set things right? Because he called Zerubbabel himself a stone; then, in accordance with this, he also calls these countless peoples who attempted to hinder the construction of God’s church and destroy the remnant of God’s people as a mountain. But you, who are planning to do this, will not be able to do this. I will take away the stone of inheritance, the equality of grace, its grace. What is said by the Prophet means the following: if you rage a thousand times more, putting obstacles in the way of Zerubbabel; I will make all your hopes futile; because, having filled it with all grace, making it hard like a stone, I will arrange that you will all be given over to destruction; so that the lack of human strength will be filled and equalized by grace from above. Know therefore: Zechariah 4:9. The hand of Zerubbabel founded this church, and his hand will build it up. And learn from the events themselves that, serving the words of God, I spoke this prophecy to you. Zechariah 4:10. No one has reproached you in days of debt 2. This is similar to the words of God read in Deuteronomy: “I will kill, and I will create life: I will strike, and I will heal” (Deut. 32:39). The same thing is expressed here, namely; how I made Jerusalem desolate for many days, and determined to desolate it seventy years; it’s so easy for Me to bring him back to his former well-being. And those who see it They will rejoice and see a stone like pure tin in the hand of Zerubbabel, that is, they will learn from experience that God, who is now despised by them, will Himself, through Zerubbabel, gain victory. The tin stone is mentioned here by the Prophet due to its low value. Since God's church was burned, the people were led into slavery, the city was devastated, and many assumed that all this happened, not because of the iniquity of God's people, but because of the powerlessness of the God revered by the Jews, then, in accordance with their opinion, he called God's help a tin stone, teaching this that this very help, which unbelievers consider small and weak, in one thing Zerubbabel's husband will show his own strength. Therefore, following this, the Prophet added: This is the seventh tow of the Lord, looking down upon the whole earth. The common Overseer and Ruler of all, overseeing all and hearing all, will Himself defend Zerubbabel. After saying these words, the Prophet asks about the olive trees that flourished on both sides of the candlestick, also asks about the two branches extending to the lampstands, and learns that Zechariah 4:14. Two fat sons who stand before the Lord of all the earth. The Prophet understands the Bishop Jesus and the military commander Zerubbabel, who flourished, one from the royal, and the other from the priestly family. Bl. Theodorite, instead of μικρἀς (small), reads: μακρἀς.