“The inadequacy of numbers”
Not by might, nor by power. —Zechariah 4:6
Read Zechariah 4
Researchers claim that statistics tell us that less than 50% of Europe’s population is Christian. That means that Christians are in the minority on that continent! Various laws and measures infringe upon God’s commandments. Think of issues such as abortion, euthanasia, the freedom to live as one likes, sexual promiscuity and homosexuality. More and more pressure will be applied to Christians to adapt themselves to the norms of the world. When the implications of these things be-gin to sink in, then it is easy to succumb to fear. How will all this end and what will the future bring? The relatively small group of Jews gathered in Jerusalem were filled with similar sentiments. They started to rebuild the temple but wondered if they would be able to finish it. The enmity of the surrounding nations was great. Despairing, they sat down in the midst of the rubble. Precisely at that moment, Zechariah received a message from the Lord to pass on to His people: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the LORD of hosts.”
The various objections and problems would be resolved. In a vision, Zechariah saw two olive tree branches laden with fruit, continually pouring golden olive oil into a bowl. These olive trees stand beside the throne of God. And in that was the secret of the candlestick’s eternal flame: the fountain of olive oil would never dry up. This vision is an illustration of the Holy Spirit’s work.
What does verse 6 mean?