This message came about 3 months after verse 1.
Zechariah received 8 night visions, and all the visions came
in the one night. The man in v8 is later identified as the angel of the Lord
(v11). He is separate from the interpreting angel.
There were four horses in all, each of different colour. The
significance of the colours is not clear, and it may not be important.
The Lord was sending messengers throughout the earth.
The world was at ease and in peace. The angel of the Lord
then inquires of the Lord about how long it is going to be before He intervenes
to show mercy to Jerusalem and Judah.
The Lord spoke kind and comforting words to the angel.
Now remember the situation we are in here. A few have
returned, but godless nations still dominate the world. Jerusalem is under
threat.
Assyria and Babylon had been used as instruments of
judgement, but they had added to the calamity. They still had responsibility
for their actions and had been unduly violent.
The Lord would return to Jerusalem, she would be part of His
plans.
Prosperity and comfort would return to Jerusalem and Judah.
Horns were a symbol of strength and represent the power of
the nations that defeated Israel. If the number four is to be taken as
important, then it represents Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and Persia. These are the
nations that most troubled Israel. She was originally held in slavery in Egypt.
Assyria had defeated Israel and had threatened Judah. Babylon had defeated
Judah and kept the people in captivity. Now Persia was the dominant power.
The craftsman represent God’s power, His creative power. God
would act to defeat the powers.
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