So the prophet sees four chariots emerge from two bronze mountains. They were drawn by strong horses, red, white, black and dappled.These chariots had been before the Lord and now they were going out to the four strong winds. The black and white horses go north. The dappled horse goes south. (The red horse isn't mentioned.) Their mission was to patrol the earth. And then we read: “Then he called to me, “Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north.”” (Zechariah 6:8, NIV).
"The chariots seem to represent angelic spirits (cf. v.5), while the variegated horses evidently signify divine judgments on the earth (cf. v.8) . . . comparing Revelation 6:1-8, suggests that the red horses symbolize war and bloodshed; the black horses, famine and death; the white horses, victory and triumph; and the dappled horses, death by plagues and other judgments." [2] They range universally to patrol the earth. "The mountains probably symbolize the gate to heaven, though some suggest that the bronze reflects the bronze pillars of the temple (1 Kin. 7:13–22) . . . Here the chariots are God’s emissaries of judgment who emerge from between the bronze mountains . . . The north is here representative of Israel’s enemies because the geography of Palestine demanded that anyone attacking from the east, including the Persians, had to come by way of the north." [3]
What does it mean that the Spirit (spirit) is at rest? "A clue is offered by another passage that speaks of the four winds: Jeremiah 49: 36– 37. There too God uses the four winds to enact judgment. In 49: 37, this mission is linked to “my fierce anger.” It is interesting that ruaḥ can be used to signify anger (Judg. 8: 3; Prov. 16: 32; 29: 11) . . . Thus the wind of God as an expression of his wrath has been spent against the land of the north, the Babylonians." [4]
This all speaks to a final outcome that God's enemies are defeated and his wrath is expended. And there is peace. God has brought all things under His feet. The defeat of God's enemies means that Christ can rule universally in a consummated Kingdom.
Summary
The first five visions bring comfort to Israel's prophet (Zechariah), priest (Joshua) and king (Zerubbabel). The last three reveal God's plan to deal with personal sin, idolatry and His enemies. The eight visions takes us from the Babylonian captivity to the New Heaven and New Earth.
Father, the end of the story has been written. Today we live in the days of the riding horses. The Cross has nailed sin once and for all. Christ has come as the exact image of God, in whom we worship. You rule in the midst of Your enemies. Grace abounds. Victory is assured. Jesus lives and reigns. Hope is secure. You win! Praise God. One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, One day the skies with His glory will shine; Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing; Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine! Amen!
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1. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Zec 6:1–8). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
2. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Zechariah/Exposition of Zechariah/II. A Series of Eight Night Visions (1:7-6:8)/H. The Eighth Vision: The Four Chariots (6:1-8), Book Version: 4.0.2
3. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Zec 6:1–8). Nashville: T. Nelson.
4. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 6283-6298). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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