ZECHARIAHH - CHAPTER 6
ZECHARIAH – CHAPTER 6
THE FOUR-CHARIOTS AND THE CROWNED PRIEST
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
August 6, 2019, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
In Zechariah’s tenth vision he sees four chariots between mountains of brass. These are obviously angelic agencies. Chariots and horses are usually symbolic of both conquest and judgment, Brass is also symbolic of judgment. The two mountains are thought to be Mount Zion (The King’s House) and Mount Moriah (The Temple of the Lord), or Mount of Olives, from which Jesus ascended and to which He shall return.
The Valley of Jehoshaphat lies in between. In Joel 3:2, we read: I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and parted my land.
Joel’s prophecy complements Zechariah’s portrayal. Joel’s prophecy foretells the partitioning of Palestine.
Zech 6:1-7:And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord? And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country. And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.
Some prophetic interpreters have said that the chariots and horses represent four great world powers. As I researched the present world powers with the thought that Russia is no longer one of the top four, I discover that India is now listed in the top four with the United States of America the only super power. The four beneath the U.S. are (1) India; (2) China (3) United Kingdom (4) Russia.
(I find it of some interest that India (Persia) is rising as a super power. In view of the present world conflicts, Iran is also Pesian ---under the strong man of the Prince of Persia as well as India. However Iran is also one of the Gog/magog nations under Gog, the Chief Prince of Mescheck.)
These nations carry responsibility concerning the well being of the world; but it is certain that the Lord will deal with all nations.
There is similarity between this vision and first vision in chapter 1. These vehicles appear to be on reconnaissance. I have no revelation concerning the difference in the colors of the horses and the first vision.
The black horses, bearing death and sorrow were to be sent north to Babylon. About two years after this vision, Darius devastated Babylon because of the rebellion of the Babylonians. This was a limited, local fulfillment. It is indeed possible that it will have a far greater consummation in the future. If one should do a study of the world powers, these fall and rise according to blessing or judgment of God.
The white horses, following the black, could well represent Darius’ victory, and could also represent the Lord’s victory over the entire Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires. Some versions read the white horses went west, and the great movement of the messengers and Gospel leaders went westward from Jerusalem. Our own country is the most westerly nation from Jerusalem.
The grisled go forth to the south country. Egypt was usually referred to as “the land to the south.” At the time of this prophecy, their relationship with Israel was reasonably peaceful. Throughout the centuries it has varied. Like all the nations, the Lord’s dealings with Egypt have been partly good and partly punitive. The Lord sent Joseph to Egypt to save Israel during the famine. The Lord sent Joseph and Mary to Israel to save Jesus from Herod.
For generations Egypt held an obscure place among the nations, except in the eyes of scholars, historians and travelers. However, when Israel returned once more to the Holy Land, Egypt made a sudden comeback! And now the entire world is aware that Egypt is a nation to be reckoned with. They have been at peace with Israel for over 30 years.
The bay went forth, and south to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth.
“Apparently angels are as eager as we to see the earth purged. How often the Holy Spirit has impressed us that the earth must be purged by blood---either by the Blood of Christ, or the blood of the victims of the increasingly horrible wars.” (Frances Metcalfe)
Note the angel talked with Zechariah. When it is said that God or angels have talked with men, I understand that in the literal sense. The horses must be taken literally as to be real heavenly beings that are no doubt spirit creatures. That there are such horses and other creatures in Heaven is clear from the fact that the visible things on earth clearly show the invisible things in heaven.
The four chariots with the horses are explained by the angel to be the four spirits of the heavens which go from standing before the Lord of the whole earth.
Suddenly Zechariah’s visions ended and the Word of the Lord came to him directly, instructing him to act as well as prophesy. The seer became a doer of the Word! His portrait of the King now becomes animated, much like a motion picture, as we behold the demonstration of God’s word in “living color.”
Zech. 6:8Then cried he (the angel) upon me, and spoke to me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the North Country have quieted my spirit in the North Country.
The Lord’s spirit being quieted means God’s wrath had been appeased. God’s wrath had been poured out upon the North Country. By this time, God had been angry with Israel for many years; but now His wrath was turned on the enemies of Israel, because they had overstepped their commission and had also fulfilled their time for punishment.
Zech. 6:10-11:: And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah; Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest…
Some commentators have said that this portion is one of the most glorious portrayals of the Messiah in the Old Testament. To the prophet was given the great honor of crowning the Messiah, the great High Priest, in the person of Joshua, his earthly representative.
The act was a most unusual one, for the High Priest was not usually thus crowned. It must have been difficult in some ways for Zechariah to obey this command of the Lord. In Israel the Priesthood and the Ruling Line were always separated, and their functions could not be interchanged.
To place the High Priest in a ruling position would seem to be out of divine order. Yet we who now know Jesus as both King and Priest can readily understand the Truth of the beautiful pageantry enacted by the prophet.
It was a drama of the Theocracy of God, which at that time was not understood by the Jews until the Son of God was born and revealed as the Third Person of the Trinity. There are some commentaries that have this section so convoluted, they say Zechariah made a mistake and should have written in Zerubbabel’s name instead of Joshua. I understand this perfectly.
It was not Joshua, but the Messiah, who was being honored. Both silver (symbol of redemption) and gold (signifying divinity) were used in the fashioning of the crowns.
BEHOLD THE MAN:
As this ceremony was carried out, Zechariah was to speak unto him saying, Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
In chapter three the Branch was first mentioned, and there He was called, “My servant.” Here He is called, “The MAN.” Some find this puzzling. I do not. Jesus is described in the Servant Psalms as a Servant; as well as He called Himself the “Son-of-Man.”
It is not without significance that just as Zechariah crowned Jesus Christ as Behold the Man (the Son-of-Man) that Pilate in his governmental office crowned him with the crown of thorns and declaring BEHOLD THE MAN.
Jhn 19:5Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
Psa. 110:1:The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.
This was a revelation of the communion of Jesus and the Father as in the 110th Psalm:
To Israel the Lord was one, and so such references to the Father and Son were veiled and could only be fully understood after the coming of Christ.
It was an unknown thing for the High Priest to be seated upon a throne or indeed upon any kind of seat. No provision was made in the Temple for the priests to sit down at any time. They ministered standing, kneeling or prostrated before the Lord. Rulers and judges are always depicted as seated, executing their authority from a position of rest and security.
Jesus is shown as a Priest in heaven, standing at the right hand of the Father interceding for His people. Yet He is also taken His throne and rules, as Zechariah here portrays.
After the dark scenes of judgment and destruction, how inspiring it is to lift up our eyes and behold Jesus Christ, our High Priest and King, crowned and seated upon the throne of God. We are grateful to Zechariah for being brave enough to obey what the Lord showed him, to write it down and for it to be recorded through eternity.
Those whose sacrifice made possible the fashioning of the crowns are to receive them and place them in the temple of the Lord for a memorial. The fame of these men and the crown would spread to other lands, and others too would leave Babylon and come with their loving sacrifices and build the temple.
And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD. And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.
The Holy Spirit lovingly encourages those of us who, in this latter day, have come out from among Babylon and brought our sacrifices unto the Lord for the building of the glorious Spiritual House of the Lord. Our substance too can play a blessed part in that building, and our silver (purified faith) and our gold (redeemed lives) can be used to crown Him. We too, by His grace, shall be held in everlasting remembrance by the Lord, and shall be placed in the great panoramic portrait of the King and His Kingdom.
Their names of these four men declare: Jehovah is good; strength or dream; Jehovah has known; favor.
l. Tobiah = "Jehovah is good"
1. head of a family who returned from exile with Zerubbabel but who were unable to prove their connection with Israel
2. Helem = "strength" or "dream” a returned exile in the time of Zechariah
3. Jedaiah = "Jehovah has known"
1. a man who returned with Zerubbabel
4. Hen = "favor"
1. a contemporary of Zerubbabel
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church
Scripture from K.J.V. – I entered into the labors of Frances Metcalfe, Ladies of Gold, Volume 3; Dake’s annotated Reference Bible; and F. F. Bruce Bible Commentary.