1. What exciting prospect lay ahead for the Jewish exiles?
King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree for the Jews to return to their land and rebuild the temple. At last the worship of the true God was to be restored in the land that he had given to his people.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The king issued a decree for the Jews to return to their land and rebuild “the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel.” What exciting news! At last the worship of the true God was to be restored in the land that he had given to his people.
Jehovah used Cyrus to free the Israelites from captivity in Babylon. And now he awaited the exciting prospect of returning to his land and restoring the pure worship of God.
They had the exciting prospect that the worship of the true God was going to be restored in the land that he himself had given them, because King Cyrus by Jehovah's influence was going to free them after spending decades in captivity in Babylon.
2. What did the exiles do as soon as they arrived in Jerusalem?
As soon as they arrived, they began to work.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
As soon as they arrived, they began to work, and by the year 536 they had already laid the foundations of the temple.
As soon as they arrived in Jerusalem in the year 537 before our era, they began to work. And by the following year, in the year 536, they had already laid the foundations of the temple.
They arrived in the year 537 before our era, and immediately they got to work, so by the year 536 the foundations of the temple were already in place.
3. What opposition did the Jews face?
The surrounding towns began to discourage the Jews. When a new Persian king, Artaxerxes, came to the throne. Opponents took the opportunity to stop the works once and for all by "creating trouble in the name of the law," accusing the Jews of planning a rebellion against the king.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Strong opposition. The surrounding towns began to discourage the Jews and demoralize them "so that they would not continue with the reconstruction." The situation was already bad, but it was still going to get worse. In the year 522 before our era, a new Persian king, Artaxerxes, came to the throne. * Opponents saw this as an opportunity to stop the works once and for all by "creating trouble in the name of law." Among other things, they accused the Jews of planning a rebellion against the king.
As Ezra 4:4 says "the people of the neighboring lands began to discourage and demoralize them so that they would not continue with the rebuilding" of the temple. And this was only the beginning, because things would get worse.
And continuing with the brother's comment, the situation worsened when King Artaxerxes came to the throne. The opponents took this opportunity to stop the works. They were blamed for plotting a rebellion against the king, and unfortunately, Artaxerxes believed these people and forbade the rebuilding of the temple.
Ezra 4:4 says that the people of the neighboring lands began to discourage and demoralize them, and added to that in the year 522 before our era, Artaxerxes ascended the throne as the new Persian king, and the enemies of God's people made him believing that the Jews were planning a rebellion against him, so he forbade the rebuilding of the temple.
4. What did Jehovah do when the rebuilding of the temple was prohibited? (Isaiah 55:11).
Jehovah appointed Zechariah a prophet and gave him eight exciting visions. Zechariah had to tell the Jews about these visions in order to encourage them. The Jews understood that they did not have to fear their opponents and they had to be brave.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jehovah was determined that they go ahead, and he always achieves what he sets out to do.
He named Zechariah a prophet and gave him eight exciting visions. This brave prophet had to tell them to the Jews to encourage them. Thanks to these visions, they would understand that they did not have to fear their opponents and that they should continue with the work that Jehovah had asked them to do. In the fifth vision, Zacharias saw a lampstand and two olive trees.
Jehovah wanted the reconstruction to go ahead. And what he did was appoint Zechariah as a prophet and give him 8 exciting visions to tell to the Jews to encourage them. In this way, they understood that they had nothing to fear and that they should continue with the reconstruction.
As the word of the Lord is always fulfilled, what he did was appoint a new prophet Zacharias and gave him eight visions so that he could tell them to the Jews and thus encourage them, because through them they would understand that they should not fear their enemies but rather they should continue with the reconstruction works.
5. What are we going to analyze in this article?
We are going to analyze the fifth vision of Zechariah, so that this article can help us to serve Jehovah faithfully when we suffer opposition.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Zechariah's fifth vision greatly encouraged the Israelites of his day.
Discussing this vision can help us serve Jehovah faithfully when we face opposition.
Let's see how the fifth vision of the lampstand and the two olive trees can help us serve Jehovah faithfully when we are opposed, when we are faced with changes, or when we receive instructions that we do not understand.
We will discuss the fifth vision of Zechariah which greatly encouraged the Jews, therefore, this vision can help us to serve Jehovah faithfully despite facing opposition, facing change or when we receive instructions that we do not fully understand.
WHEN WE SUFFER OPPOSITION
6. How did the vision of Zechariah 4:1-3 give courage to the Jews? (See cover drawing.)
The sight of the lampstand and the two olive trees gave the Jews the courage to face the opposition, because compared to the power of God's spirit, the military forces of the Persian Empire were nothing. With Jehovah on their side, those working to rebuild the temple would be able to withstand any opposition and finish the job.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In the vision it is seen that the oil produced by the two olive trees is collected in a bowl which, in turn, feeds the seven lamps of the lampstand. Thanks to this constant supply of oil, the lamps in the chandelier never go out. Zechariah asks the angel, "What do these things represent, my lord?" And he answers with a message from Jehovah: “'Neither with a military force nor with power, but with my spirit,' says Jehovah of armies.”
The oil from the trees represented Jehovah's mighty holy spirit, which never ends. Compared to the power of God's spirit, the military forces of the Persian Empire were nothing.
In this vision, the oil produced by the two olive trees that feeds the lamps of the chandelier so that they do not go out, represents the holy spirit of God, which never ends. Knowing this gave them courage to continue with the reconstruction because they understood that the holy spirit of God is infinitely more powerful and inexhaustible than any military force of the Persian empire.
Well, the illustration gives us more or less an idea of what was seen in this vision, because in it the oil that two olive trees give is collected in a bowl that feeds the 7 lamps of the candlestick, and thanks to this constant supply of oil the lamps never go out, which made them understand that this is the powerful holy spirit of God, it never ends and they could also count on it so they could resist any opposition and continue with their work.
So the message of this vision was that they just had to trust Jehovah fully and resume the rebuilding work, and that is exactly what they did.
ILLUSTRATION:
In a vision, Zechariah saw a lampstand with seven lamps receiving oil from two olive trees. (See paragraph 6).
7. What unexpected turn favored the Jews?
When a new king entered, Darius I, discovered the prohibition to rebuild the temple, he finally allowed the works to be completed. He also ordered that the towns stop hindering the Jews, in addition to giving them money and the materials that were missing to be able to finish the temple.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In the year 520 BC, a new king, Darius I, ruled Persia. During his second year of reign, he discovered that the ban on rebuilding the temple was illegal, so he gave permission for the work to be completed.
It happened that in the second year of the reign of Darius I, this new king ordered an investigation to be made, and the decree of Cyrus was found that authorized the rebuilding of the temple, and that the prohibition to rebuild the temple was illegal. So he gave permission for the works to be finished.
In addition, as if that were not enough, he ordered, under severe punishment in case of not doing so, that the Jews be given money and material aid so that they could continue the rebuilding of the temple and resume its services. And as a result in just over 4 years the temple was finished.
In 520 before our era there was a new king in Persia, who was Darius I, and when he saw that the prohibition to rebuild the temple was illegal, he gave permission for the work to be completed, and what is more, he ordered the peoples neighbors who stopped preventing the work and not only that but they had to give money and materials for reconstruction, so the temple was finished in just over 4 years.
8. Why can you be brave in the face of opposition?
You have Jehovah and his powerful holy spirit, so you have nothing to fear! Be brave and don't give up.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Some live in places where our work is restricted. There they can be arrested and "brought before governors and kings," and this serves as a testimony to them (Matt. 10:17, 18). Sometimes a change of government can improve your situation. Or a reasonable judge may make a decision that favors the play. Other Witnesses face a different kind of opposition. They live in a country where there is freedom to worship Jehovah, but they have relatives who try in every way to prevent them from doing so.
We can be courageous because we have Jehovah and his powerful holy spirit, and this will give us the strength to overcome that opposition. For example, we know of countries where the work is restricted. But thank Jehovah, decisions have sometimes been made in favor of the witnesses. And although other times it is not like that, Jehovah gives them the necessary endurance and also, a great testimony is given worldwide.
There are also things in which our brothers do not have to face the opposition of a government, but that of their own relatives. Despite this, they can be brave because in many cases these relatives will stop opposing when they see our firm position. And some have even become Jehovah's Witnesses. So we can see the importance of not giving up and being brave.
We must be brave in the face of opposition because we have Jehovah and his holy spirit that is very powerful, which will continue to give us the strength we need to move forward.
Also, let us remember that the situation always improves, for example, a change of government can improve the situation, or perhaps some reasonable authority makes a decision that favors the work.
ILLUSTRATION:
A brother in prison imagines a candlestick with seven lamps receiving oil from two olive trees.
Trust in Jehovah's power in the face of opposition. (See paragraph 8).
In the illustration we can see a brother who is imprisoned for his faith, but he is imagining the lampstand of the vision that we analyzed before, which undoubtedly reminds him that the powerful holy spirit of Jehovah is equal to this oil that never runs out, and that therefore can give you the necessary strength to resist anything.
WHEN WE ARE FACING SOME CHANGE
9. Why were some Jews sad when the foundation for the new temple was laid?
They were sad because they had seen the great temple built by Solomon, and it seemed to them that the new one was insignificant.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
As they had seen the great temple built by Solomon, they were filled with great sadness because it seemed to them that the new one was insignificant compared to the other.
The older Jews burst into tears because they saw the great temple built by Solomon. And seeing this new temple, it seemed insignificant compared to the other one.
Because as they had seen the magnificent temple that was built by Solomon, when they saw the foundations of the new temple it seemed to them that the new one was insignificant compared to the previous one.
10. How did the words of the angel that we read at Zechariah 4:8-10 help the Jews to regain their joy?
The angel was assuring God's people that, as simple as the temple seemed to some, it would be finished and meet Jehovah's requirements. If the Jews concentrated on Jehovah and got his approval, they would regain their joy.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The plumb line is a construction tool that lets you know if something is completely vertical. Thus, the angel was assuring God's people that, as simple as the temple seemed to some, it would be finished and meet Jehovah's requirements. And if Jehovah was going to be happy with him, why shouldn't they be? For God, the important thing was that in the new temple they adored him as he wanted. So if the Jews concentrated on worshiping him as he wanted and getting his approval, they would get their joy back from him.
In verse 10 it says that "they would be filled with joy and see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand." The plumb line is a tool to check that something is completely vertical. So in this way, the angel assured them that, as simple as the temple seemed, it would be a place of worship to Jehovah that meets all the requirements. And if Jehovah accepted it, everyone had to do it.
The angel told them that they would see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hands, so that angel form assured them that the temple would be finished and that he would fulfill what Jehovah had asked, since the most important thing for him was that in this new temple he worship as he wished, so if the Jews concentrated on worshiping him as he wished and gaining his approval, they would surely regain their joy.
11. What changes do some servants of Jehovah find difficult to face?
Some brothers find it hard to face that they had been in one area of full-time special service for a long time and received a change of assignment.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Some who have been in one area of full-time special service for a long time have received a change of assignment. Others may have had to give up a responsibility that they liked very much due to age. In these cases it is natural to feel sad. Perhaps at first we do not understand the reason for the decision or agree with it. Maybe we miss how things were before. And we may get discouraged thinking that we are going to be less useful to Jehovah.
Maybe we miss how things were before. And we may get discouraged thinking that we are going to be less useful to Jehovah. Maybe they have a hard time coping with a change of assignment. Or they may have had to give up some responsibility because of their age. This can make those brothers discouraged. That's why Proverbs 24:10 warns us that "if we lose heart in difficult times, our strength will fail."
Some changes, for example, the fact of receiving a change of assignment after spending many years in some facet of the service, others perhaps due to age they had to give up a responsibility that they liked very much.
12. How does Zechariah's vision help us not to be discouraged by changing circumstances?
It helps us not to think about what you can no longer do, but about all the things you can do. The vision teaches us how important it is to maintain a positive attitude to remain happy.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
One thing that will help us cope better with changes is to see things as Jehovah sees them. Think not of what he can no longer do, but of all the things he can do. Zechariah's vision teaches us how important it is to maintain a positive attitude in order to remain happy and faithful even when circumstances change.
It will help us to see things as Jehovah sees them. Although our responsibilities change, Jehovah's love for us does not change. And knowing this encourages us a lot because as I Corinthians 3:9 says, "we are co-workers with God." That is, Jehovah uses each of us in one way or another to do great things.
And if we find that we are having a hard time coping with a change, let us ask Jehovah in prayer to help us see the positive aspects of the new situation. Let's focus on what we can do now and with a positive attitude.
This vision helps us because it teaches us that it is very important to maintain a positive attitude in order to remain happy and faithful, even if circumstances change. Also, as the beginning of the paragraph says, what will help us to face changes is to see things from the Jehovah's point of view.
ILLUSTRATION:
An older brother in a hospital bed reads the Bible and imagines a plumb line.
See the changes with a positive attitude. (See paragraphs 11 and 12). *
WHEN IT IS HARD TO FOLLOW SOME INSTRUCTIONS
13. Why might some Jews think that going back to rebuilding the temple was a bad decision?
Because the works could not be hidden and their enemies would do everything possible to prevent it.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It may have seemed like a bad decision to some Jews, because the works could not be hidden and their enemies would do everything possible to prevent it.
They thought it was a bad decision because the works could not be hidden and their enemies would do everything possible to prevent it. It was very important that they know that they had Jehovah's support.
Because the reconstruction of the temple was prohibited, so it is very likely that it seemed a bad decision to resume this reconstruction, since the works could not be hidden and their enemies would do everything possible to prevent it.
14. What did the words at Zechariah 4:12, 14 assure high priest Joshua and governor Zerubbabel?
The angel reveals to God's faithful prophet that the two olive trees represent "the two anointed ones": Joshua and Zerubbabel.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The angel reveals to God's faithful prophet that the two olive trees represent "the two anointed ones": Joshua and Zerubbabel. These two men are said to be figuratively “standing beside the Lord of all the earth,” Jehovah. This place of honor demonstrates the great confidence that Jehovah has in them. So the other Jews have every reason to trust their decisions, because Jehovah is using them to guide the people.
The two olive trees in the vision represent "the two anointed ones." Joshua and Zerubbabel. This assured those two men that Jehovah had great confidence in them. So if Jehovah trusted those two men, the rest of the Jews had no reason to fear.
They were assured that Jehovah trusted them, for the text says that these two men are figuratively standing next to the lord of all the earth, so the Jews could fully trust them.
15. How do we show that we respect the guidance that Jehovah gives us in his Word?
Taking time to read his word carefully and understand it.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Taking time to read it carefully and understand it. Ask yourself, “When I read the Bible or one of our publications, do I stop and reflect on what I am reading? Do I investigate biblical truths that are 'hard to understand'? Or do I just skim the information? If we take time to reflect on what Jehovah teaches us, we can follow his guidance and fulfill our ministry.
We will prove it if we take the time to read it carefully and understand it. To know if we are doing it right, we could ask ourselves if I meditate on what I read, or if I investigate what I do not fully understand. It is not about reading over but about reflecting and meditating on what Jehovah with love has left us written in his Word.
Dedicated enough time to read and understand it, for that reason the paragraph asks us some questions that we can ask ourselves: When I read the Bible or one of our publications, do I stop and meditate on what I am reading? Do I investigate biblical truths that are "hard to understand"? Or am I just reading the information above? So if we take time to meditate on Jehovah's teachings, we can certainly follow his guidance.
16. What will help us follow the instructions of the “faithful and wise slave” if we do not fully understand them?
Perhaps we should remember how the Jews benefited from following the instructions they received through Joshua and Zerubbabel. We could also think of other Bible stories we have read.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Perhaps we should remember how the Jews benefited from following the instructions they received through Joshua and Zerubbabel. We might also think of other Bible stories we have read.
It will help us to remember all those times when, from a human point of view, it seemed illogical to follow a certain instruction, but in the end it was the best decision because it came from Jehovah. Furthermore, it is Jehovah who is using the faithful and wise slave to give us guidance. So we must not hesitate, especially when things get even worse.
What we could do is meditate, for example, on how God's servants have benefited throughout history by following the instructions that he gave them through chosen men, as was the case with Joshua and Zerubbabel, so just as If we follow the instructions of the faithful slave, even if we do not fully understand them, we will benefit.
ILLUSTRATION:
A sister watches a JW Broadcasting program and imagines Zerubbabel and Joshua giving instructions to the Israelites to rebuild the temple.
Trust the instructions you receive from the "faithful and wise slave." (See paragraph 16).
SEE WHAT ZACARIAS SAW
17. What effect did the vision of the lampstand and the two olive trees have on the Jews?
He made the Jews see with different eyes the work they were doing and their worship.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
He made the Jews see with different eyes the work they were doing and their worship. And when they applied what they learned from what Zechariah saw, they felt that Jehovah lovingly supported and guided them.
It had a good effect because they saw with different eyes the work they were doing and their worship. And they felt that Jehovah supported and guided them with his holy spirit. As Ezra 6:16 says, "they celebrated the inauguration of the house of God with joy."
It caused the Jews to see the work they were doing with different eyes, and also thanks to this vision they felt that they had the support and guidance of their loving heavenly father, Jehovah.
18. What effect will Zechariah's vision have on you?
It will give us strength in the face of opposition, joy to face changing circumstances, and confidence to obey instructions.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
As we have discussed, it will give you strength in the face of opposition, joy in facing changing circumstances, and confidence in obeying instructions you may not understand.
This vision comforts each of us because it gives us strength in the face of opposition and gives us joy to face changes in circumstances and confidence to obey instructions that we may not understand.
Well, it will give me strength in the face of opposition, also joy to face changing circumstances, and confidence to obey instructions I don't fully understand, so when we run into trouble, let's see the evidence that Jehovah is watching over us and then act accordingly. what we see, let us continue to trust in Jehovah and continue to worship him with all our hearts.
HOW DOES ZECHARIAH'S VISION HELP US IN THESE SITUATIONS?
When we are opposed
Many of Jehovah's servants today also experience opposition. Some live in places where our work is restricted. Other Witnesses face a different kind of opposition. They live in a country where there is freedom to worship Jehovah, but they have relatives who try in every way to stop them, do not give in to opposition. Be brave. You have Jehovah and his mighty holy spirit, so you have nothing to fear!
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Sometimes a change of government can improve your situation. Or a reasonable judge may make a decision that favors the play. Other Witnesses face a different kind of opposition. They live in a country where there is freedom to worship Jehovah, but they have relatives who try in every way to prevent them (Matt. 10:32-36). In many cases, when these family members realize that their efforts are for nothing, they stop resisting. And some who were once violently opposed eventually become zealous Witnesses. Therefore, do not give in to the opposition. Be brave. You have Jehovah and his mighty holy spirit, so you have nothing to fear!
It helps us because whatever opposition we face, such as from a government or from our own family members, we know that Jehovah's spirit is more powerful than all of them. And with Jehovah on our side we need not fear.
It helps us a lot because it reminds us of the great power that Jehovah has, it also makes us see that we must be brave because we have Jehovah and his holy spirit that is very powerful, which will continue to give us the strength we need to move forward.
When we face some change.
One thing that will help us cope better with changes is to see things as Jehovah sees them. He is doing great things today, and we have the immense honor of collaborating with him. Our responsibilities may change, but Jehovah's love for us does not.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
One thing that will help us cope better with changes is to see things as Jehovah sees them. He is doing great things today, and we have the immense honor of collaborating with him. Our responsibilities may change, but Jehovah's love for us does not. So if a change in the organization affects you personally, don't be left wondering why the change happened. Instead of missing "the old days," ask God to help you see the positive aspects of the new situation. Don't think about what you can't do anymore, but about all the things you can do. Zechariah's vision teaches us how important it is to maintain a positive attitude in order to remain happy and faithful even when circumstances change.
It helps us face changes with joy and a positive attitude. Let's not think about what we can no longer do, but focus on what we can do. If we serve Jehovah from the heart, he will view our service favorably.
This vision helps us because it teaches us that it is very important to maintain a positive attitude to continue being happy and faithful, even if circumstances change, and what will help us to face changes is to see things from Jehovah's point of view.
When we receive instructions.
Sometimes the slave may give us instructions that we don't fully understand. For example, we may receive very specific instructions for surviving a natural disaster that we think is unlikely to occur in our area. Perhaps we should remember how the Jews benefited from following the instructions they received through Joshua and Zerubbabel. We could also think of other Bible stories we have read.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Taking time to read it carefully and understand it. Ask yourself, “When I read the Bible or one of our publications, do I stop and reflect on what I am reading? Do I investigate biblical truths that are 'hard to understand'? Or do I just skim the information? If we take time to reflect on what Jehovah teaches us, we can follow his guidance and fulfill our ministry.
It helps us trust Jehovah's way of doing things. And to trust those whom Jehovah has chosen to guide his people. As strange as an instruction may seem to us, let us trust in Jehovah, the wisest being in the universe.
Well, Zechariah's vision reminds us that all God's servants who lead the organization, including the faithful and discreet slave, are designated by Jehovah and therefore have his approval, so we must show that we respect his guidance because the most we will be benefited.
Comments
Post a Comment