1 I lifted up my eyes again and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains. And the mountains were mountains of bronze.
2 The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses,
3 And in the third chariot white horses.
4 I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 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 toward the north country, the white ones go after them, and the dappled ones go toward the south country.”
7 And the strong horses came out and sought 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 toward the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country.”
9 And the word of the Lord came to me:
10 “Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go the same day to the house of Josiah, the son of Zephaniah.”
11 Take from them silver and gold, and make a crown, and set it on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12 And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord.
13 It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”
14 “And the crown shall be in the temple of the Lord as a reminder to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.”
15 “And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the Lord. And you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.”
The True Meaning of Zechariah 6
The book of Zechariah was written by the prophet Zechariah, a contemporary of the prophet Haggai. Zechariah lived during the time when the Israelites had returned from their exile in Babylon and were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah receives a series of visions from God in this chapter that provide encouragement and hope for the future of God’s people.
The visions in this chapter foretell the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom. We see the coronation of a high priest, which foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ. The chapter also speaks of the “Branch,” a reference to the Messiah who will bring peace and justice to the world. These visions would have been a source of great comfort and inspiration to the Israelites as they faced the challenges of rebuilding their lives and their nation.
Throughout the book of Zechariah, we see the prophet drawing on imagery and themes from other biblical books, such as Ezekiel’s vision of the four chariots (Ezekiel 1:15-21) and the promise of a future king from the line of David (2 Samuel 7:12-13). This interconnectedness of Scripture reminds us that God’s plan of redemption is woven throughout the entire Bible, and that the events and prophecies of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Zechariah 6:1-8
Zechariah receives a vision of four chariots coming out from between two mountains of bronze in Zechariah 6:1-8. Each chariot is drawn by horses of different colors: red, black, white, and dappled. These chariots are clearly symbolic and represent divine beings carrying out the will of God.
The significance of the mountains of bronze is that bronze is typically associated with strength and endurance in the Bible. This could symbolize the unwavering power of God and his ability to fulfill his plans and prophecies. The mountains could also represent a separation or barrier between the earthly realm and the heavenly realm, from which these chariots are emerging.
The horses represent different aspects or purposes of God’s divine judgment and sovereignty. The red horse may symbolize war and bloodshed, the black horse famine and death, the white horse victory and triumph, and the dappled horse a combination of these or a unique purpose of God’s judgment. This vision echoes the imagery of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 6:1-8), symbolizing conquest, war, famine, and death.
The fact that these chariots are coming out in different directions indicates that God’s judgments are comprehensive and all-encompassing. This can be seen as a warning to the people to turn back to God and live in accordance with His will, or else face the consequences of his judgments. This vision serves as a reminder of God’s authority over all nations and his power to execute judgment on both the righteous and the wicked. This vision in Zechariah 6:1-8 underscores the sovereignty of God and His role in executing judgment and fulfilling His divine purposes. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of staying faithful to God and living in obedience to His commands, as ultimately, His divine judgment will come to pass.
Zechariah 6:9-15
The prophet Zechariah receives a vision from the Lord in Zechariah 6:9-15. This vision involves the crowning of Joshua the high priest, symbolizing both his priestly office and his future role as a king. This imagery of combining the roles of high priest and king in one person is significant and points to Jesus Christ, who would later fulfill both roles perfectly.
Starting with verse 9, we see the instruction given to Zechariah to take silver and gold from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah and to make a crown. These men are likely representatives of the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon to Judah. The fact that they willingly contribute the silver and gold for the crown signifies a restoration of wealth and resources to God’s people after the hardships of exile. This mirrors the restoration theme found throughout the Old Testament, where God promises to restore His people if they turn back to Him.
Moving on to verses 10-11, we witness the placing of the crown on the head of Joshua, the high priest. This action symbolizes a merging of the roles of priest and king, hinting at a future fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is described as a priest in the order of Melchizedek in Hebrews 5:6. This dual role of priest and king in the person of Christ is central to the Christian faith, as Jesus is not only our High Priest who intercedes for us but also the King who rules over all creation. Joshua receives a message from the Lord in verses 12-13. He is told that the Branch will build the temple of the Lord and that he will bear the glory and sit and rule on his throne. This prophecy of the Branch refers to the Messiah, who will come and fulfill the roles of both priest and king. This prophecy finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to His people.
Finally, in verses 14-15, the phrase “the counsel of peace shall be between them both” is mentioned. This alludes to the unity and harmony between the offices of priest and king in the person of the Messiah. Jesus Christ not only offers the sacrifice for sin as a High Priest but also reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords, showing perfect harmony and unity of roles. Zechariah 6:9-15 provides a powerful prophecy pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the perfect High Priest and King. This passage emphasizes the unity of these roles in Christ and highlights His central place in God’s plan of redemption for His people. It serves as a reminder of the promises of restoration, reconciliation, and peace that God offers to all who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.
After Zechariah 6
The prophet Zechariah had a vision of four chariots, each drawn by different colored horses. The Lord revealed to Zechariah that these chariots represented the four spirits of heaven, sent to patrol the earth. The Lord then instructed Zechariah to take the silver and gold from the exiles and make a crown for the high priest Joshua. This symbolic act pointed to the coming Messiah, who would be both a priest and a king. Zechariah must have been filled with hope and anticipation as he watched the coronation of Joshua. For the Lord had promised that one day, the Messiah would come and establish His eternal kingdom. This Messiah would be the true King, the one who would bring justice, peace, and salvation to all who put their trust in Him. The stage was now set for the next chapter of God’s unfolding plan for His people. What wonders and challenges would Zechariah witness as he continued to faithfully proclaim the Lord’s message?
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.