Zechariah 4:1 Commentary and Bible Study

Here, the theme changes. All this was so stunning and wonderful to Zechariah, that he had to be awakened, as if from sleep, for the next phase. So the explaining angel came again and woke him from a deep sleep for this fifth vision. What actually takes place is compared to waking a man from sleep, but this too is part of the vision and we should interpret it spiritually. Seeing visions is an exhausting business, because of the profound impact of the communication on the prophet, and he must therefore be brought to a raised level of understanding to prepare him to receive the next vision. All his faculties must be fully engaged. God not only speaks to the prophet but prepares his mind to receive and understand what he sees. Our natural minds are not capable of understanding God’s truth unless enlightened. Calvin says, ‘except God awakens us by his Spirit, torpor will so prevail over us, that we cannot raise our minds above … If the Prophet had need of such help, how much more have we, who are far below him in faith?’