How the Oil of the Holy Spirit is Flowing (Zech 4:6)

I believe God is encouraging those who have felt pressure coming at you—and in particular, against a vision or project.

You may have stepped out in obedience to God and put in a lot of groundwork, but your efforts have not had the return you expected.

The Lord says,

“Beloved, your work has not been wasted—it is being rewarded. I count your offering to Me as more valuable than gold and silver.”

The Move of the Holy Spirit

It was a project that would become a legacy.
God destined the second temple to stand for generations, and one day, the Messiah, Jesus Christ would step foot into it. [1]

But like many tasks appointed by God, that building project went through a season of frustration.
Enemies opposed it, authorities canceled it—and the work was shut down for a long time. In fact, that building stood unfinished for 17 years!

When God wanted to stir His people back into action, He sent an angel to the prophet Zechariah.

And so came the move of the Holy Spirit, which changed everything.

Pay Attention to the Oil!

“The angel…wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep” (Zech 4:1b, NKJV)

God sent an angel to stir Zechariah awake. And the angel said to Zechariah, “What do you see?”
Once he was paying attention, the prophet had a vision.

• He saw two olive trees, standing on either side of a golden lampstand
• Oil flowed from a branch of each tree into a bowl attached to the top of the lampstand
• And in turn, that bowl supplied oil to each lamp

What the prophet Zechariah saw, was a representation of a heavenly reality—the people of God and the Spirit of God working together as one.

And I believe that just as the angel had to rouse Zechariah, this is the time Jesus is calling to each of us: [2]

“Beloved, awake! Now is the time to attend to your supply of oil.”

Your Power is in the Flow of Oil

“It’s not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech 4:6)

Right now, God is highlighting the context of this Scripture verse we know so well.
For He wants us to see the vision of the continuous flow of oil!

The Amplified Bible highlights this:

“Then he said to me, “This [continuous supply of oil] is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel [prince of Judah], saying,
‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol],’ says the LORD of hosts.”
(Zech 4:6 AMP)

Perhaps it seems as though even your best efforts cannot reach the mark. But remember, you serve the God of miracles.

And as you rely on the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible for you!

The Mountain is Coming Down

“Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” (Zech4:7, NKJV)

What is the source of the power that moves mountains?

• The oil is the source!

It is God’s power and anointing.
And the oil is the Person of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the difference-maker, the game-changer.

“It’s not by might, nor by power.”
No amount of human energy or willpower can bring about Kingdom results.
They can only come about by His Spirit.

So, step into the flow of continuous, fresh oil.

You are a “Son of Fresh Oil”

Zechariah wonders about the meaning of the two olive trees, that feed continuously fresh oil into the lamps.

The angel responds, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zech 4:14, NKJV)

• The phrase “anointed ones” is translated from the Hebrew, “sons of fresh oil”. [3]

Like many mysteries of the Bible, the vision has layers of meaning. [4] But there is also encouragement for us!

“…I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.”(Psalms 52:8, NKJV)

Today, see yourself as a daughter of fresh oil; a son of fresh oil.

• God has planted you in His house, and your roots are deep in His love
• His Word is nourishing you, and fresh oil is pouring forth from you

God Celebrates Your Small Step

“For who has despised the day of small things?” (Zech 4:10a)

If you are persevering in an incomplete project—be assured that God sees your work.
And He celebrates it.

The angel reports, “For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” (Zech 4:10, NKJV)

• “These seven” is a reference to the seven lamps, which represent the Holy Spirit

Don’t miss the power of this: In Revelation, seven lamps of fire burn before the throne of God, amidst flashes of lightning, and voices and thunder! (Rev 4:5)

It is speaking of God Almighty, in all His glory and power—and He is rejoicing in a small act of obedience!

The Oil of the Anointing

The name Zechariah means, “Jehovah remembers.” (Strong’s H2148)
Your Father has not forgotten you!

God’s anointing in you has not been used up. You are only beginning to tap into the fullness of what He has for you.
Now, His anointing is being released!

It’s like when olives are pressed, and the oil flows forth.
That pressure you have experienced is not emptying you. Instead, God is using that pressure, to bring forth an abundance of fresh oil.

You do not need to run on empty, for God says, “I AM your supply.”

“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent me to you.” (Zech 4:9, NKJV)

Notes:

[1] e.g., Matt 21. In the time of the Gospels, the second temple had been significantly upgraded and extended by Herod.
Related posts:

[2] See the parable of the ten bridesmaids, Matt 25:1-13

[3] Strong’s H1121, H6671

[4] In context, it may refer to the two leaders of the day. This speaks into the power of anointed leadership! It also foreshadows events to come (Rev 11:3)
“The two anointed ones (“two olive trees” v.3) are Joshua, representing the religious authority, and Zerubbabel, representing the civil authority. They are archetypes of the two witnesses mentioned in Rev 11:3,4.” HAYFORD, J W, Ed. The Spirit-Filled Life Bible.  1991.  Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Tips for Replenishing Your Oil + Comments
If you need to reconnect with the flow of oil personally –  I jotted down some ways to do this and you’ll find them in the comments below.
Scroll down to see this list and I’d love to hear your own thoughts, too.

Related Posts

I have written prophetic studies from the story of Ezra, Zerubbabel, and the rebuilding of the temple. The other studies are:

• How the Holy Spirit Moves
• Your Fresh Start: God’s Part and Yours
• God’s Upgrade for Your Life and Ministry Begins Here
• Why does God Allow Frustration and Delays?

Help for Prayer Warriors: Overcome Spiritual Dryness

If you have felt dry or depleted in your prayer life lately, the lessons in my Prophetic Prayer School will be of benefit to you.

You will find these in the class, “How to Prevent and Recover from Dryness in Prayer”:

• Causes of Dryness and Depletion in the Intercessor
• Ten Keys to Being Replenished as an Intercessor
• Receiving Prayer: How to Stay Filled with the Holy Spirit Through Soaking Prayer

This impacted me personally, and I’m sure it will benefit many of you! I warmly invite you to join me in the Enliven School of Prophetic Prayer

For a short period of time, while the Prayer School is under construction, I’m bringing the full price down to $19.95 USD.

Currently on the Enliven School of Prophetic Prayer are 41 video lessons (complete in your own time), along with PDF transcripts, exercises, and bonus eBooks.

Alternatively, you can view all online courses, including the Prophetic School here.

© 2021 Helen Calder, Enliven Blog

Enliven Ministries: In the David McCracken Ministries family

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.