Zechariah 6: Visions of Divine Sovereignty and the Coming King
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.
Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
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;
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh 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.
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.
Zechariah 6 offers a powerful glimpse into God's sovereign control over the earth and a prophetic foreshadowing of the Messiah. This chapter, rich in symbolism, comprises two distinct yet interconnected sections: a vision of four chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8) and the crowning of Joshua the high priest (Zechariah 6:9-15). Both sections point towards the establishment of God's kingdom and the coming of the ultimate King and Priest. Let's delve into the depths of these visions.
The Four Chariots: God's Patrol of the Earth (Zechariah 6:1-8)
Zechariah's eighth vision opens with a dramatic image: four chariots emerging from between two bronze mountains (Zechariah 6:1). The mountains, often symbols of strength and power, as seen in Isaiah 2:2 and Daniel 2:35, are here described as bronze, further emphasizing their unyielding nature. These mountains could represent the strength and stability of God's heavenly realm.
The chariots themselves are identified as "the four spirits of heaven, who go out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole earth" (Zechariah 6:5). These spirits are sent out to patrol the earth, executing God's will and keeping watch on His behalf. The chariots' diverse colors – black, white, dappled, and strong – may symbolize the varied ways in which God's judgment and power are manifested throughout the earth.
The chariots are dispatched to different directions, with some going north and others south, fulfilling God's commands (Zechariah 6:6-7). This widespread deployment signifies God's comprehensive oversight and active involvement in all corners of the world. It’s a comforting thought that the God of heaven is constantly watching over His creation, ensuring that His agenda is carried out. This divine surveillance offers assurance to God's people throughout history. Nothing escapes His notice, and His power is actively working to accomplish His purposes.
Crowning of Joshua: A Preview of the Messiah (Zechariah 6:9-15)
Following the vision of the chariots, Zechariah receives a command to take an offering of silver and gold from the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem (Zechariah 6:9-10). From this offering, a crown is to be made and placed on the head of Joshua, the high priest (Zechariah 6:11). This act is highly symbolic, prefiguring the coming Messiah.
Joshua is given a new name or title: "the Branch" (Zechariah 6:12). This title connects him to the Messianic prophecies found elsewhere in the Old Testament (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15), where the Messiah is also referred to as "the Branch." The prophecy continues, stating that "He shall branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord" (Zechariah 6:12). This is not merely about the physical rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, but also about the Messiah building a spiritual temple, the church, composed of believers.
Furthermore, the prophecy declares that "He 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" (Zechariah 6:13). This verse is a powerful foreshadowing of the Messiah, who will unite the offices of king and priest in His person. Joshua serves as a type, a prefigurement, of this ultimate Priest-King.
The crown, once placed on Joshua's head, is to be kept "in the temple of the Lord as a memorial" (Zechariah 6:14). This serves as a constant reminder of the future Messiah and the people's obligation to obey the Lord fully. The chapter concludes with a promise that in the future, Gentiles will come from afar and help build the temple of the Lord (Zechariah 6:15). This points to the inclusion of all nations in God's kingdom through faith in the Messiah.
This crowning ceremony symbolizes the unification of the roles of priest and king, a union ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah. He will rebuild the temple and reign over His kingdom during the millennium, functioning as both priest and king on His throne (Zechariah 6:13). The presence of the crown in the Lord's temple serves as a reminder of the future Messiah and the obligation to fully obey the Lord (Zechariah 6:14-15). The promise of Gentiles participating in the temple's construction (Zechariah 6:15) highlights the universal scope of the coming kingdom. Zechariah 6 provides a powerful vision of God's sovereignty and a tantalizing glimpse of the Messiah's coming reign.
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.
Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
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;
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh 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.
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.
Zechariah 6 offers a powerful glimpse into God's sovereign control over the earth and a prophetic foreshadowing of the Messiah. This chapter, rich in symbolism, comprises two distinct yet interconnected sections: a vision of four chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8) and the crowning of Joshua the high priest (Zechariah 6:9-15). Both sections point towards the establishment of God's kingdom and the coming of the ultimate King and Priest. Let's delve into the depths of these visions.
The Four Chariots: God's Patrol of the Earth (Zechariah 6:1-8)
Zechariah's eighth vision opens with a dramatic image: four chariots emerging from between two bronze mountains (Zechariah 6:1). The mountains, often symbols of strength and power, as seen in Isaiah 2:2 and Daniel 2:35, are here described as bronze, further emphasizing their unyielding nature. These mountains could represent the strength and stability of God's heavenly realm.
The chariots themselves are identified as "the four spirits of heaven, who go out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole earth" (Zechariah 6:5). These spirits are sent out to patrol the earth, executing God's will and keeping watch on His behalf. The chariots' diverse colors – black, white, dappled, and strong – may symbolize the varied ways in which God's judgment and power are manifested throughout the earth.
The chariots are dispatched to different directions, with some going north and others south, fulfilling God's commands (Zechariah 6:6-7). This widespread deployment signifies God's comprehensive oversight and active involvement in all corners of the world. It’s a comforting thought that the God of heaven is constantly watching over His creation, ensuring that His agenda is carried out. This divine surveillance offers assurance to God's people throughout history. Nothing escapes His notice, and His power is actively working to accomplish His purposes.
Crowning of Joshua: A Preview of the Messiah (Zechariah 6:9-15)
Following the vision of the chariots, Zechariah receives a command to take an offering of silver and gold from the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem (Zechariah 6:9-10). From this offering, a crown is to be made and placed on the head of Joshua, the high priest (Zechariah 6:11). This act is highly symbolic, prefiguring the coming Messiah.
Joshua is given a new name or title: "the Branch" (Zechariah 6:12). This title connects him to the Messianic prophecies found elsewhere in the Old Testament (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15), where the Messiah is also referred to as "the Branch." The prophecy continues, stating that "He shall branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord" (Zechariah 6:12). This is not merely about the physical rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, but also about the Messiah building a spiritual temple, the church, composed of believers.
Furthermore, the prophecy declares that "He 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" (Zechariah 6:13). This verse is a powerful foreshadowing of the Messiah, who will unite the offices of king and priest in His person. Joshua serves as a type, a prefigurement, of this ultimate Priest-King.
The crown, once placed on Joshua's head, is to be kept "in the temple of the Lord as a memorial" (Zechariah 6:14). This serves as a constant reminder of the future Messiah and the people's obligation to obey the Lord fully. The chapter concludes with a promise that in the future, Gentiles will come from afar and help build the temple of the Lord (Zechariah 6:15). This points to the inclusion of all nations in God's kingdom through faith in the Messiah.
This crowning ceremony symbolizes the unification of the roles of priest and king, a union ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah. He will rebuild the temple and reign over His kingdom during the millennium, functioning as both priest and king on His throne (Zechariah 6:13). The presence of the crown in the Lord's temple serves as a reminder of the future Messiah and the obligation to fully obey the Lord (Zechariah 6:14-15). The promise of Gentiles participating in the temple's construction (Zechariah 6:15) highlights the universal scope of the coming kingdom. Zechariah 6 provides a powerful vision of God's sovereignty and a tantalizing glimpse of the Messiah's coming reign.