Day 949: God's strength and peace - Zechariah 6 vs 1- 8

1 Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains. And the mountains were mountains of bronze. 2-3 The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, the third white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled horses - all of them strong. 4-5 Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” And the angel answered and said to me, “These are going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The chariot with the black horses goes towards the north country, the white ones go after them, and the dappled ones go towards the south country.” 7 When the strong horses came out, they were impatient to go and patrol the earth. And he said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. 8 Then he cried to me, “Behold, those who go towards the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country.” Zechariah 6:1-8 English Standard Version

This is the last of a series of visions that were given to Zechariah by night to encourage the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from their long exile in Babylon. The first vision had been of a horseman on a red horse, with some other coloured horses, who had patrolled the earth and reported that a time of peace had arrived during which the ruined city and temple could be rebuilt. The next vision was of four horns, representing those who had scattered the exiles, and four craftsmen, representing those who would do the rebuilding.

A vision of a man with a measuring line then followed, but he was told that Jerusalem's future would be beyond measure. This was immediately followed by a vision of Joshua the high priest in filthy garments, and Satan bringing accusations against him. But Joshua was re-clothed in pure spotless garments. The next vision was of the seven bowled lampstand and two olive trees, which were for the encouragement of Joshua the High Priest, and Zerubbabel the King who were to head up the rebuilding work.

Then came the two strange visions of a huge flying scroll announcing a curse on all who were thieves and liars, and a measuring basket containing a woman of wickedness who was carried away by two other woman to the north. These visions showed that there was to be no place for false swearing, stealing, and all other such wickedness, in the Jerusalem that was being rebuilt.

One could spiritualize the above and say that these things are also true of a person whose life has been rescued from the exile from God that sin causes. Such a person also needs the filthy robes of sins (which Satan is ready to point out) to be removed, and to be re-clothed in the righteousness of Christ. And then there will follow the ongoing work of rebuilding their life by God's Spirit, a life in which there is no longer place for lies, stealing, and all such wickedness.

But those visions were intended for the people alive in Zechariah's day. And so, in this last of the night visions, it once again involved different coloured horses, but this time with chariots. Horse drawn chariots represented great strength in those days. As did mountains of bronze! And while a similar vision in the New Testament book of Revelation tells of four different coloured horses representing conquest, war, plagues and death – in this vision we're simply told that the chariots were “going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth.” (vs 4-5)

The essential picture here is surely what theologians call 'the sovereignty of God'. In other words, it was a reminder to Zechariah, and all the Jews who’d returned to Jerusalem, that it is God and not the powerful nations of the world who is in control. That's a truth Christians will need to take more and more to heart in the cataclysmic days ahead of us. God still 'patrols' the world, and He will accomplish His plans for His people. What was the joyful news Zechariah received in vs 8?

God's purposes had been accomplished in the North, i.e. the region of Babylon where Israel's troubles had come from, and God's Spirit was at peace. Jerusalem could be rebuilt. In a similar way, when our sins have been atoned for by Christ, God is at peace with us too, and we can get on with rebuilding our lives in line with His word. May it be so.