October 19, 2005

Chap.6:1-8 brings us to the last vision of Zechariah and speaks of Divine judgment upon the nations by means of symbolic figures.

  Zechariah speaks of four chariots (some commentators see this as

‘war chariots’) coming from between two mountains….of bronze.

This picture takes us back to the first vision (1:7-11) with four horses in the myrtle trees.  These were observers of earth conditions and reported the

“all the earth is resting quietly” which was understood to be “the nations at ease” while Israel was troubled.

   “two mountains….of bronze” are mentioned suggesting these chariots

are coming from or in association with judgment.  Bronze (brass in some Bibles)

is frequently a figure of judgment—see Numb.21:9 & John 3:14 as well as the bronze altar in the Tabernacle where the burnt offerings were made.  Questions as to the two mountains suggest perhaps Mt. Olivet and Mt. Zion: first, in  Zech.14:4, the Messiah is said to return to Mt. of Olives when He returns in wrath and judgment.  Also, Joel 3:16 uses similar language for Mt. Zion.  The term “Valley of Jehoshaphat” is a term taken from Joel 3:12, but no actual place has ever been located—it is a term related to ‘judgment of the LORD’.  Some have suggested the Valley of Kidron, near Jerusalem, as V.of Jehoshaphat.

  Then, the horses of the war chariots are stipulated to be of several colors:

Red…black…white…dappled [KJV- grisled and bay]—these colors do match the horses in Rev. 6:1-8 which again is in a context of judgment.  White= victory; red=bloodshed;  black=starvation; dappled (pale)= death & hell.  These horses in Rev.6 are released to expend their fury on the inhabitants of earth as part of the first four seal judgments.  In Zech.6, the horses are with the chariots indicating a readiness to execute divine judgment.  “four” may be used to show the universal nature of their action – Isa.11:12 “four corners”- north, south, east and west.

   When asked “what are these..?”  the answer given is These are four spirits of heaven who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth”.   Scenes are given in other places of scripture of “spirits” standing before the LORD- Job 1:6, 2:1 as well as I Kings 22:19-21.  Note also Psalms

103:20-21 and 104:4.  These created beings are ever in God’s presence to act at His desire in matters related to the earth and human beings.  In Revelation, angels figure prominently in divine judgment- ch.7:1, 8:2 and 15:6.

   “Lord of all the earth”  in vs.5 and “walked to and from throughout the earth” in vs.7-twice remind us of the world-wide rule of Christ during the millennium—see Psalms 96. 

   Then we read of the “one with the black horses” being dispatched toward

the north country followed by the white ..going after them”.  This is followed by the “dappled..toward the south country”.  Although not stated,

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it is understood the “red” join with the dappled. Others see “red” as exchanged

for strong [KJV=bay] These two directions, north and south, give locations of groups of Israel’s most feared enemies:

north = Assyria, Babylon and possibly Rome

south = Egypt

  The omission of east & west may be due to the Medit. Sea on the west and

desert on the east.  Israel’s most notable enemies and oppressors have come from either north or south.

  These horses “eager to go [sought to go-KJV] are then dispatched to “walk to and fro throughout the earth”—they are to survey the nations with respect to Israel’s endtime crisis and administer divine retribution upon nations that have oppressed Israel.  Recall Vision #2 with the “carpenters” that terrified

the “horns” who had oppressed Israel.

  Then Zechariah is told “see, those who go toward the north country have given rest to my Spirit in the north country”—this is expressing that God’s anger has come to cease as He has executed wrath on these nations.  His anger is pacified by their administration of judgment, not due to forgiveness.  The “north” may be specified here since it was the direction of Babylon and the land of Shinar, where previously wickedness had come to dwell.  Some see a parallel between this vision and the parable of Matt.25:31-46 and refer to it as the

‘judgment of the nations’.  The vision in Zech.6 seems more general while

the Matt. 25 passage seems more specific to individuals.