Between 538 and 520 BCE, a first wave of Jews exiled from Judea by Nebuchadnezzar leave Persia to come home. Governor Zerubavel, a descendent of King David, together with the high priest Yehoshua, leads them. The visionary prophet Zechariah offers spiritual support.

One night, an angelic guide shows the prophet a vision of Yehoshua the high priest, newly purified, dressed in shining garments, standing in a renewed Temple with a redesigned menorah. Zechariah watches as God makes a promise to Yehoshua: under the leadership of Zerubavel, a messianic peace will fill the land with friendship and fertility.

Zechariah asks his guide, “What does all this mean?”

“You know what it means!” the angel says.

“No I don’t!” says Zechariah.

“It means: not by might and not by power, but by my spirit” (4:6).

God’s words may have been clear to Zechariah, but they have challenged generations of interpreters.

Rashi (France, 1040-1105) thinks God is speaking to Zerubavel, saying, “I will cause the Persian emperor Darius to fund your project.”

Michael Fishbane (USA, 1943-present) also reads a message to Zerubavel, “I will gift you with the spiritual qualities you need to succeed.”

Malbim (Russia, 1809-1879), however, sees the exact opposite message, directed at Zechariah, “In Messianic time, I will not continue to work through the gifts of emperors and governors, but will manifest in the world directly.”

I also see a message to Zechariah, but a more personal one: “This is not a vision of military victory or political independence. It is a vision of spiritual restoration. Now get out there and teach people how to develop spiritually!”

This post comments on the haftorah (prophetic reading) for the Shabbat of Hanukah. For more reflections on the visions of Zechariah, see: Crazy Interfaith Vision,  and Wars of the Lord.