Zechariah: The Incredible Ways Of God (II)

JUDAH’S RETURN AND THE NATIONS’ RUIN (1:1-21)

Neal Pollard

Zechariah begins his prophecy, dating it with the reign of a Gentile king since the Davidic line of kings had ceased since Babylonian Captivity. Darius’ second year began late in 520 B.C., clueing us into the historical context. Zechariah’s lineage is repeated twice (1,7), though Berechiah is omitted from it in Ezra 5-6. Iddo is mentioned in both books. It is the message that matters. The first few verses are a preamble, a retrospective review of where Judah had been. The bulk of the chapter is devoted to two visions, speaking of where Judah’s enemies are about to go. We see at least three things communicated in Zechariah one.

A Reminder To God’s Chosen (1-6). God wants them to remember the punishment of captivity, why it happened (4) and how He felt (2). The Lord wants them to keep their fathers’ bad example ever before them and not repeat it (3-4). Their disobedience did not prosper them, but finally they acknowledged their guilt (6). God says His word, through the former prophets, penetrated their hearts and they repented. This was an example they needed to keep in their own hearts. 

A Rider Among The Trees (7-17). Time passes from the initial word that came to Zechariah (over three months, vs. 7). This is the first of 8 visions God gives the prophet:

• The man on the red horse (1:7-17)
• The four horns and four craftsmen (1:18-21)
• The surveyor (2:1-13)
• The cleansing of the High Priest (3:1-10)
• The golden lampstand and two olive trees (4:1-14)
• The flying scroll (5:1-4)
• The woman in the basket (5:5-11)
• The four chariots (6:1-8)

Each of these eight visions has a central message. Within each of these visions, there are things and people that have symbolic meaning. However, they point to a big idea that God wants His people to understand. He is simply conveying the message in a way that they would less easily forget.

In the first vision, we have a man riding on a red horse with the backdrop of myrtle trees in a ravine and multicolored horses behind him. Charles Simeon believes this to be the preincarnate Christ (the Angel of the Lord) and that the “we” (“the other riders,” 11, NLT) implies angels attending to Him and doing what He wills. He also suggests that the trees and their lowly position represent the Jews in their humbled state because of captivity and the fact that they do not own the land (Horae Homileticae, 438). John Calvin agrees that this is probable, adding that the different color horses indicates the different offices or purposes for which they are sent–whether to bless, curse, or some of both (Vol. 5, 33). 

In fact, it is the view that makes the most sense given the symbolism and the frequency with which we see Christ appear as the Angel throughout the Old Testament (Gen. 16:7-10; 31:11-13; 32:25-31; Ex. 3:2-4; Jud. 6:11-12; Zech. 3:1-2; etc.). Red is the color of blood, white of glory and victory, and sorrel of flames. The Lord is exacting judgment on the nations with bloodshed and burning, gaining victory over the nations. This is further explained by the Angel’s anger at the nations (15) and His compassion for His people (14,16-17). The Lord is jealous for His people and eager to restore them even as He had allowed the nations to subdue them for a while.

A Reign To Be Overtaken (18-21). While this is a second vision, the Angel continues to appear (19). Zechariah sees four horns. Universally in the Old Testament, horns represent power and authority (Dt. 33:17; Ps. 18:2; 75:10). It would appear that these horns represent four kingdoms, and given the times and the message the most logical kingdoms would be those also mentioned by Daniel in Daniel 2 and 7 (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome). They scattered the Jews through military and economic policies, a diaspora that reaches to the time of Christ and the church. While God is not concerned about the Jews repatriating and repossessing Jerusalem and Israel, He will punish the heathen nations. This is represented by four craftsman. The debate is whether they are kings of these various empires through whom God worked to accomplish His purposes or spiritual leaders by whom God rescued and preserved His people. It does not matter who they are, they are tools in God’s hand to relieve and deliver His people. 

So, Zechariah, from the outset, is given comforting pictures about the future of his brethren. It seems clear that the heart of this comfort is revealed in the person of Christ. Throughout this book, we will see Messianic pictures painted to point us to “that day” (cf. ch. 12-14). He was the hope they should look for! He is the hope we should embrace in our lives today, however lowly we are and feeble our efforts seem to be.