Zechariah 4:6 The
working of the Holy Spirit
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.
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.
Comparisons of the
Holy Spirit
As discussed earlier, the Holy Spirit in scripture is
compared to oil, fire, wind, rain, river, wine and a dove. Whilst the scripture
does not say the Holy Spirit are these things it does say the Holy Spirit is
like these things. It is therefore essential in understanding the outworking of
the Holy Spirit that we understand the effects these elements can have on us.
Just as oil can have a lubricating and energising effect on
machinery so too can the Holy Spirit both equip and enable his church in being
all Christ called us to be in Him. We see the result of this in how the early
church response to caring for one another and ensuring everything was shared.
The body of Christ worked as one and we might even say was a well oiled
machine.
The results on the day of Pentecost and fire coming upon the
believers equipped them to speak forth the things of God boldly, whilst only a
short time earlier Peter had denied our Lord. Again just as fire can cause us
to be zealous and bold, it can also be consuming and at times as the Lord a all
consuming fire which burns not only away those things which are sin and dross
but even our very lives.
When we think of wind it can be that gentle whisper blowing
through the gum trees or the still voice of the Spirit speaking to us to bring
about His plans for our lives. In comparison it can also be a hurricane or
cyclone as we say in Australia which destroys everything in its path.
Again rain in season, that is the spring and autumn times can bring
growth and prosperity from crops yet out of season can cause everything to be
lost.
A river such as seen
in Ezekiel can be ankle, knee or even waist deep which still enables us to
enjoy it and be refreshed but when it is a torrent which sweeps us away in its
path disabling us from standing and only being at its peril it too can be
powerful.
Wine, when taken in moderation scripture says can be good
for the stomach yet when there is not control can take away all that we have
and know. And a dove which is sensitive to movement, when settled upon the
believer can cause them to be lead into greater experiences.
Comparisons in Jesus’
Ministry
Jesus went about doing Good and healing the sick. Jesus
himself claimed he came in Luke 4:18
18“The
Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim deliverance to the captives and recovery
of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
In the same way that
Jesus ministered so too will the Holy Spirit minister in and through us...
The gifts of the Spirit display in their outworking the very
ministry of Christ. See 1Cor 12 &
Rom 12
Why do we need to
know how the Spirit Works?
Matthew 24, Jesus
says ”in those days the love of many
shall grow cold”.
Again in Revelation 3
the Laodicean church who thought they were rich, the Spirit says they are
wretched, poor, naked and blind”. And counsels them to buy from God Gold
refined in the fire, fine linen clothes and balm or salve for their eyes that
they may see again. All things which Laodicea were renown for.
Isa tells us in the last days the enemy will come in like a
flood, but the Spirit of the Lord will raise up a banner against it. Isa 59:19
Daniel 12 says in the last days knowledge will increase.
Today there are over 1 billion web pages available to us with that number
increases approximately 200,000 pages per day.
There is a mine field of information out there, every weeks
friends email, text or ring me about some new teaching or ideas they have found
on the web. And though there is wonderful information to be explored that can
bring a great blessing to the body of Christ, there is a need no greater than
we have today to be discerning, aware and understanding of how the enemy will
attempt to make your love grow cold.
In the same way, if
we can grieve the Holy Spirit then we must also be able to PLEASE the Holy
Spirit.
Jesus said, if you love me...you will obey my commands or do
as I say (John 14:23). Again, if we wish to be pleasers of God and
of the Holy Spirit then we must be willing to listen & obey what the Holy
Spirit is saying to us.
Fruit of the Spirit
Again, if we wish to understand how the Spirit operates we
need only look at the fruit He produces in our lives. See Gal 5
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