Zechariah 4:6 Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord

Zechariah 4:6

 

I have heard many preachers, including myself, speak on this particular scripture and naturally disperse on how we as believers need not to rely on our strength and power but on the Holy Spirit. And whilst this sounds fair and reasonable it is also fair to say that God is able to use anything or anyone to bring about His plans and purposes. This is displayed in scriptures like Sampson using the jaw bone of a donkey or even a donkey speaking to Saul on the road to Damascus. Not to mention how the Lord was able to take some unlearned fishermen and tax collectors to turn the whole world upside down.

What then is the deeper meaning to this scripture and how does it impact the out workings of the church today. To understand the purpose behind any scriptures we must understand the original audience and circumstances surrounding it. Whilst I don’t intend to make an exegetical study of this verse, I do wish to greater see what the Lord has intended.

The context by which Zechariah wrote these verses is very interesting. Israel at the time was in a time of rebuilding and renewal. The temple was in disrepair as was the nation after what we can call the Diaspora of the Old Testament. This was a time of new beginnings to the Jewish race and I believe the Lord was not just interested in the present generation but in the many to come and the impact they would have on the whole world.

Throughout the book of Zechariah we see prophecy regarding the coming of Jesus and the ushering in of the kingdom of God and a new commandment. This new kingdom would not be like the one of old where God’s might and power was displayed like when the Israelites were brought before the Lord on Mt Sinai in Exodus 20 where God showed His might and power in thunder and lightning and billows of smoke. Instead Jesus is seen as one coming in lowliness (9:9); as the Prince of Peace (9:10); as the one who is crucified for our transgressions (12:10) and as a shepherd forsaken by his sheep (13:7). Not exactly the picture of strength and power but more as one meek and mild riding on a donkey.

Jesus himself declared a new commandment in John 13:24, “love one another, just as I have loved you.”And again in Matthew chapter 5 we see the Lord Jesus speaking about this new kingdom and its new commandments. Ranging from adultery that is committed simply by looking at a woman lustfully to having angry thoughts making you a murderer. Jesus however, even in this chapter re-iterates the need to love not only those who love you but even those who hate you.

Zechariah was therefore speaking about the coming Kingdom where King Jesus would reign. This new kingdom was very different to the ways the Israelites had known previously. I recently heard Heidi Baker speak on God’s kingdom being completely the opposite to worldly thinking. This therefore requires every believer to learn a new way of thinking, bringing Pauls instruction to the Roman believers most valuable. Paul’s instructions was to renew our minds in Romans 12:2 and not to conform to the pattern (what we see in the world) of the world.

 This new kingdom was based on not pursuing our own thoughts and therefore ways but those of God. It is here that the Holy Spirit and His nature become so important to the believer. Symbols of the Holy Spirit are often seen in scripture as oil, fire, wind, rain, river, wine and a dove. And whilst all of these can have a powerful effect upon the receiver, those who have encountered the presence of God’s Spirit would agree that he is gentle and never forceful in his approach. Jack Hayford in his book “Symbols of the Holy Spirit” says “The workings of the Holy Spirit are invisible, glorious, and gentle, and within them, He never tells us about Himself. He comes to glorify Jesus—helping us to see Jesus more, to understand Jesus better, to respond to Jesus more obediently, and to love Jesus with a deeper heart of commitment”.

Isaiah 40:31 is one of my most loved verses, it says “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Recently I underwent and continue to do so, some amazing changes in my life. Just prior to these events I happened to read a book by Col Stringer called On Eagles Wings which I highly recommend. In this book, Col speaks of how Eagles about every 7 years will literally pluck out there wing feathers so that new feathers will grow out. In this process, the eagle is completely vulnerable and open as he is completely defenseless in flying away from his enemies. And whilst the eagle will find a high rocky crag away from potential threats, it still remains vulnerable. What’s most interesting is that at the end of this process, the eagle is able to fly higher and catch the up drafts more easily with his new feathers.

Jesus commanded the disciples in Matthew 28 to “go into all the world...”yet we often neglect to remember that he also said to “wait”. In acts 1:8 Jesus also commands the disciple to wait for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. It is this very thing I believe Zechariah is speaking out in chapter 4:6. Though men often dare to tread where Angels would not and rush in like fools, I believe it is the gentle voice of the Spirit leading and guiding the church today that is most needed. When we wait upon the Lord or His precious Holy Spirit, we will then be able to mount up with eagle’s wings.

I love what Pastor Gordon Gibbs used to often say “find out what the Holy Spirit is doing and do that”. Not content to do his own thing but to be obedient to the promptings and leadings of the Holy Spirit.