Zechariah 1-The Vision of the Horsemen and Horns/Craftsmen
Zechariah
1-The Vision of the Horsemen and Horns/Craftsmen
Zechariah 1 begins during the reign of Darius I- the
Great (Persia ruler) with a call to the Jews to repent and turn back to God.
Then, we see a man riding on a red horse near the myrtle trees. Behind the
rider were red, sorrel (red-brown), and white horses. The rider is The Angel of
the Lord/ Christ as the Holy Warrior (verse 11) - See also Isaiah 63:1-6,
Revelation 19:11-16. The myrtle trees is a humble bush that is symbolized by peace,
restoration, and the Feast of Tabernacles (See Isaiah 41:19-20; 55:12-13, Leviticus
23:40, Nehemiah 8:15). The horses are angels who monitor the events of the
ancient world after the judgment of Jerusalem, defeat of Babylon, and the rise
of Medo-Persia. The Gentile world is now at peace and the Jews are filled with discouragement.
The horses are used to monitor and bring about the events of the ancient world
in fulfillment of God’s will.
The angels were assigned to observe the aftermath of
the exiled Jews and the recent defeat of Babylon. The red horse/messenger angel
in the front was responsible for carrying out the Babylonian war/bloodshed to
the Jews. The second red horse from behind represented that Babylon was the new
target of judgment for Medo-Persia (the war was behind the Jews). The sorrel
horse represented a time of struggle from the Jews experiencing enemies who
were interfering with the Temple construction. The white horse represented a
time of peace, restoration, and kingdom expansion for Israel.
In verse 18, we are introduced about a vision about Four Horns and Four Craftsmen. Many commentators try to force the Daniel prophecies into this passage. However, Ezekiel 25 offers a better and viable alternative. Either the number four is a literal four or a figurative four. If taken in a literal manner, Ezekiel 25 lists Gentile Nations (four horns) that have mocked Israel. The four nations are: Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia.
These four nations were judged
during the Medo-Persian Empire period. If this passage was taken in a figurative
manner, this would just represent the pagan nations being brought to judgment
by other nations. A figurative four means universal.
The Four Craftsmen can refer to Persia in a general
manner supplying Israel with materials for the Temple. Although it sounds convincing
on the surface, Daniel 11:1-3 makes a stronger argument that these Four Craftsmen
are Cyrus II, Cambyses II, Darius I the Great, and Xerxes I. Furthermore, the Hebrew
word for craftsmen, carpenters, artisans, etc is Haras. It is better translated
as skillful. I believe Ezekiel 21:31’s translation can be applied to the Four Craftsmen
who are men skilled in destruction. This fits the context of Zechariah in a
clearer way. The Persian Empire oppressed these Gentile Kingdoms. By the time the New Testament comes around, these nations are never mentioned again.
Daniel 11:1-3 11 “And as for me, in the first year
of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and
strengthen him. 2 “And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings
shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer
than all of them. And when he has become strong through his
riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. 3 Then a mighty
king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills.
(1) Cyrus
II
(2) Cambyses
II
(3) Darius
I-The Great***
(4) Xerxes
I- The Persian King from the Book of Esther
***Do
not confuse Darius the Mede with Darius I-The Great (Persian). They are
different people.***
Ezekiel 21:31 New International Version 31 I will
pour out my wrath on you and breathe out my fiery anger against you; I will
deliver you into the hands of brutal men, men skilled in destruction.
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