Zechariah 6
THIS chapter gives the last of the prophet’s visions; its connection with the first is plain, though here are four, rather than three symbolic representations. Chapter 1, however, has to do with Persia, which had succeeded Babylonia, and the then wholly future empires of Greece (or Macedonia) and Rome, while chapter 6, like the prophecies of Daniel, embraces the whole period of Gentile dominion, from Nebuchadnezzar to the coming of the Lord to set up His kingdom. The purpose of this vision is to show that though God had set aside Israel, and allowed the Gentiles to attain the supremacy, He still controls “the powers that be.”
The mountains of brass are symbolic of God’s throne; see Psalm 86:6,6Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. (Psalm 86:6) where a literal translation is, “Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God.” As in chapter 1, horses (here with chariots) are used to represent the angelic instruments by means of which God maintains control of the governments of the world. They are “the four spirits of the heavens”, going forth from presenting themselves before “the Lord of the whole earth” (verse 5). It is not of course, that all that the world’s rulers may do is according to His mind; but they can go no further than He is willing, and though allowed to do of their own wills pretty much, the results will be seen to be according to the will of God.
The believer who has intelligence in the ways of God stands apart from things political, assured that His purposes are being worked out, for the Scriptures tell him that all things work together for good to them that love God. (See also Romans 13:1-71Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1‑7)).
The red horses, here mentioned only in verse 2, refer evidently to God’s overruling the government of the first empire, which came to its end when the city of Babylon fell. The black-horse chariot has to do with Persia, the conqueror of Babylonia, called the “north country” in verses 6 and 8. The third chariot is linked with the third empire, that of Alexander the Great, who conquered the Persians (verse 6).
The grisled (gray) horse chariot was concerned with the Roman empire; the going forth toward the south country (i.e., south of Palestine), in verse 6 belongs to its early history when Egypt became subject to Rome—about 30 B. C. The later history of the fourth empire is referred to in the seventh verse. The destruction of the Babylonian empire was according to God (verse 8, —see also Daniel 5:22-3022And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: 24Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 25And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 29Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. (Daniel 5:22‑30)).
Fitly after the first eight verses covering the long centuries of Gentile rule, the chapter directs attention to the Lord Jesus, that glorious Ruler who shall in a day not now far distant, put down all who oppose Him and set up again the throne of David. Four or five Jews, not numbered among the remnant, who at the invitation of Cyrus had returned to the land of their forefathers, were at this time stirred in heart before God to make the long journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, bringing gifts of silver and gold. Out of this material the prophet was to make crowns and place them on the head of the high priest as a sign or promise of the BRANCH (or SPROUT, as the Hebrew word is rightly translated) (See Isaiah 11). The crowns were afterward to be placed in the temple for a memorial of the godly men who brought the gifts.
Verse 13. “Between them both” speaks of God and His Son as the Priest-King ruling the world in the Millennium.
ML 08/22/1937