Zechariah 6:1 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

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Bible Comments

In the last vision the prophet observed four chariots, coming out from between two mountains of brass, one drawn by red horses, one by black horses, one by white horses, and one by grizzled horses.

Inquiring of the angel the meaning of the vision, the prophet was instructed that the chariots symbolized the four spirits of heaven going forth from the presence of the Lord to walk to and fro in the earth. It is the final revelation of the method of the restored order. In the day of restoration the administrative forces of righteousness will be spiritual.

After the delivery of this second message of visions the prophet was distinctly charged to observe a great symbolic ceremony. Skilled workmen prepared crowns of silver and of gold. These were set on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. To him thus crowned the prophet repeated his prediction of the coming Man whose name is the Branch, through whom the predictions made in the message of the visions would be fulfilled. Ultimately He would build the Temple of the Lord. His office would be dual: He would be both Priest and King; and it was promised that the "counsel of peace shall be between them both," that is to say, the resulting peace would accrue from the union of the kingly and priestly functions in the one Person.

This ceremony was intended to inspire the men of Joshua's own age with hope and confidence in the ultimate victory of Jehovah. Therefore the crowns which Joshua wore during the ceremony were retained for a memorial in the Temple of the Lord.

The final words of Zechariah in this connection reveal the purpose in all that he had said. It was that the work of Temple building should be continued.

Related Commentaries of Zechariah 6:1

Zechariah 6:1-15

1 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.

2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;

3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and baya horses.

4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?

5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spiritsb of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

9 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

10 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;

11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

12 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:

13 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.

14 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.

15 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.