Zechariah 6
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CHAPTER 6
Four Chariots (6:1–8)
1–8 This eighth and final night vision bears some resemblance to the first vision (Zechariah 1:7–17). Here four chariots are described, to each of which are harnessed horses of a different color (verses 1–3). These chariots with their horses represent four spirits or “winds.”13 These chariots (spirits) are agents of God’s judgment on the nations of the world.
In verse 7, God sends the chariots throughout the earth. Then God tells Zechariah (in the vision) that the chariot and horses that went toward the north country have now given His Spirit rest (verse 8). This means that God”s enemies in the north have been overcome. Recall that historically most of Israel’s enemies had invaded from the north (Assyria, Babylon); therefore, if God’s chariots have subdued the northern nations, then God’s conquest of the remaining nations is assured and He can be “at rest.”
Now that Zechariah’s eight visions have been described, we can see that they form a pattern. They start out with God becoming jealous for His people and promising to restore Jerusalem and destroy her enemies (Chapters 1–2). The middle visions speak of the cleansing of God’s people and the empowering of their leaders with the Holy Spirit (Chapters 3–4). Then come two visions showing the punishment of unrepentant sinners and the removal of wickedness from the land (Chapter 5). And here, in the final vision, we see the judgment on the nations completed and the Lord at rest. The whole series of visions is meant to encourage God’s people to finish rebuilding the temple and to walk in His ways.
A Crown for Joshua (6:9–15)
9–14 But the climax of the series of visions is yet to come. Verses 9–15 do not record another vision; rather, they contain direct instructions from the Lord to Zechariah. Zechariah is told to take some of the silver and gold that had been brought as gifts for the temple and make it into a crown; then he is to place the crown on the head of Joshua the high priest (verses 9–11).
This act was meant to symbolize something very important. High priests did not wear crowns in Israel; they wore turbans (Exodus 28:4,27; Zechariah 3:5). Only kings wore crowns. In Israel, the kingly and priestly functions were kept separate. But the coming Messiah would be both King and Priest.
In verse 12, God announces the coming of this Messiah, whose name is the Branch (see Zechariah 3:8–9 and comment).The high priest Joshua with his crown is thus a forerunner, a “type,” of the coming Messiah.14 This Messiah will build the temple of the LORD (verse 13)–that is, the future millennial temple (Ezekiel Chapters 40–43). He will rule on his throne (see 2 Samuel 7:16; Luke 1:3233), and at the same time He will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between His kingly and priestly functions.
After the crowning of Joshua, the crown itself was to be kept as a memorial in the temple (verse 14); it would be a symbol of hope, a reminder that at the appointed time the long–awaited Messiah would indeed come.
15 Here the Lord continues looking ahead to the Messianic age. Those who are far away–that is, the Gentiles (Ephesians 2:13)–will join in building the millennial temple. They will share in the blessings of Christ’s millennial reign (see Revelation 20:1–6)–that is, if [they] diligently obey the Lord. There will be no place in the millennial kingdom for those who refuse to obey God, whether they be Jews or Gentiles.
The millennial reign of Christ will be ushered in at His second coming.15 Meanwhile, in a spiritual sense, Christ’s reign has already begun. Right now He is building His temple, the Church; right now He is reigning in the hearts of believers. And right now He is calling those who are “far away” to come and join Him, and He is using us to call them (Matthew 28:19–20). We are His witnesses, His ambassadors (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18–20). We are making the preparations for His return (Matthew 24:14).