Topic: Two Branches of Leadership
Bible Reading: Zechariah 4: 11–14 (The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 2011 by Biblica, Inc.)
- Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”
- Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”
- He replied, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I said.
- So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”
Word for Today: So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.” – v. 14.
Inspiring Commentary:
Under theocracy, God governs His people through His law, but He is represented by two arms of governance – the Priest (religious authority) and the Kings (civil authority). But after the exile, God altered the pattern now to be – Priests and Governors. On return from exile, God was restoring the same pattern of governance as the Jews began to settle down to theocracy again.
The vision of two olive trees on the right and left side of the lampstand represents Joshua the High Priest and Zerubbabel the Governor. Both were anointed by God to serve Israel with civil and religious authority. The lampstand represents the Holy Spirit who is God. God anointed the Priest and Governor, the two heads of the nation of Israel. The import of this vision is that the rule of God on any nation is a shared leadership between the Church and the government. God is the author of religious and civil authorities and he rules in the affairs of men through these authorities.
The mission of the Church is derived from the personality of Jesus Christ who combines the role of a Priest and a King. As a Priest, He is the mediator between God and all humanity; and as a King, He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. We are called to exercise God’s rule both in the Church and in the society as well.
Prayer: Father, please help your Church to understand that government is an arm of your rule on earth, so that Christians can accept politics as a calling.