God’s Power and Our Witness
Zechariah, the Old Testament prophet, foretold more about the coming Messiah than any other prophet except Daniel. He was given multiple visions to encourage the people of Israel, and in chapters 3 and 4, visions to encourage Joshua and Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
Joshua was the priest, and Zerubbabel was the civil leader, and together they represented Christ in his dual role of Priest and King. In chapter 4, verse 2, Zechariah saw a vision of a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to each of the lamps.
An olive tree was on either side to pour out golden oil through two large pipes that fed the lampstand, through the 49 channels. The oil represented the Holy Spirit’s continuous flow of power to build the temple. When Zechariah asked the purpose of the olive trees, he was told in verse 14 “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”
Ultimately it is Jesus who will serve all the earth, but for this time Joshua and Zerubbabel were to be the recipients of God’s power. My NIV notes explain it this way:
“The point of the vision is light bearing, or witness. Israel is God’s witness. Joshua and Zerubbabel witnessed to His power in seeing to the completion of the temple.”
With the calling of these two to complete the temple they were to be witnesses to the power of God, through the Holy Spirit, so Israel could be a witness to the world. That is exactly what God is calling each of us to do with the calling He has placed on our lives.
God has gifted us with talents and abilities to fulfill the calling He has for our lives. He supplies the power through His Spirit to carry out His mission so that we can be witnesses of God’s power to the world.
Have you ever considered that? We are to witness to the power of God with our lives, at work and at home, by using the talents and abilities we have been given.
Our August speaker, Carla Toth, spoke about Matthew 5:16, “…let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” The Holy Spirit supplies us with the power to let our light shine and give light to everyone around us, as a testimony, or witness to God’s power.
The question for all of us to consider is, “Am I a witness to the power of God for the people in my life?” CBM exists to help each of us fulfill the vision that God has given us for our lives, to be a witness to His power.
Tad Douglas
9/5/2019
