ZECHARIAH 1:7–21 (August 6, 2025)

A Vision of a Horseman

7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, 8 “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. 9 Then I said, ‘What are these, my lord?’ The angel who talked with me said to me, ‘I will show you what they are.’ 10 So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, ‘These are they whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.’ 11 And they answered the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees, and said, ‘We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth remains at rest.’ 12 Then the angel of the Lord said, ‘O Lord of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?’ 13 And the Lord answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. 14 So the angel who talked with me said to me, ‘Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. 15 And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster. 16 Therefore, thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. 17 Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.’”

A Vision of Horns and Craftsmen

18 And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns! 19 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” And he said to me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” 20 Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen. 21 And I said, “What are these coming to do?” He said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one raised his head. And these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

Zechariah 1-7-21

0:00

Summary

On a very particular date in history, which further supports the trustworthiness of the Bible, the prophet receives the first two of eight night visions. This is just months after Zechariah’s initial call to repentance. These symbolic and apocalyptic images are not merely vague dreams but a very detailed message meant to comfort a discouraged and spiritually weary remnant.

The first vision (vv. 7–17) features a man riding a red horse among myrtle trees, with other horses behind him—red, sorrel, and white. These symbolize divine messengers, patrolling the earth under God’s sovereign command. The angel of the Lord, often understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, intercedes on behalf of Jerusalem, asking, “How long will you have no mercy?” (v. 12). God responds with “gracious and comforting words” (v. 13), promising that He is “exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem” (v. 14) and will again choose Zion, bring prosperity, and rebuild His temple.

The second vision (vv. 18–21) shows four horns, symbolically representing the nations that scattered the covenant people of God (Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem). In response, God shows Zechariah four craftsmen sent to terrify and cast down those powers. Through these shocking images, God is assuring His people. Although nations have oppressed them, God will act decisively to judge evil and restore His covenant people.

Who is God?

God is the sovereign Lord of history, whose eyes are on all the earth. He sends out messengers, governs nations, and speaks with authority and compassion. In verse 12, the angel of the Lord intercedes, which shows a profound glimpse of the work of Christ. The LORD responds not with silence, but with “gracious and comforting words” (v. 13). Our Savior is not distant. Instead, He is “exceedingly jealous” for His people (v. 14). The words "exceedingly jealous" show His steadfast love. He promises restoration:

17 Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.’”

This is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, faithful to His promises even after judgment. He not only sees injustices of the world, but raises divine agents ("craftsmen") to dismantle evil powers (v. 20). In other words, our God is not passive. He acts in righteousness and mercy.

What is our Guilt?

The guilt of the people is hinted at in their discouragement and spiritual stagnation. Although they had returned from exile, they still lived with a sense of defeat. It's understandable. Jerusalem was still in ruins, the temple incomplete, and surrounding nations remained powerful. This passage shows how easy it is to believe that God is either inactive or indifferent when restoration is slow.

And the more profound guilt is not just in their depression. It is in forgetting God’s covenant faithfulness and judging Him by their circumstances. They have forgotten the fact that nations could scatter Israel (v. 19) before, as a result of Israel’s earlier rebellion. Now, as they are being restored, their unbelief persists. They doubted God’s zeal to restore what He had judged earlier. We often commit the same error, doubting God's mercy. We even fail to hope for renewal and restoration because our "Jerusalem" lies in ruins.

How does Grace Shine?

Grace shines through the divine initiative at every step. The people did not call out to God first. The angel of the LORD intercedes for them (v. 12). God responds not in wrath but with gracious and comforting words.

13 And the Lord answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.

He declares His jealous love for Zion (v. 14) and promises that His house shall be rebuilt and His cities shall again overflow (v. 16–17). This is covenantal grace in action. God remembers His promises, not because the people have earned restoration, but because He is faithful.

The second vision shows that God Himself raises up the workers. It's not the covenant people who bring down the oppressors. Salvation is of the LORD! These “craftsmen” foreshadow Christ and His disciples. Ultimately, the grace of God culminates in the one true Intercessor, Jesus Christ, who not only pleads for mercy but provides it by His atoning blood on the Cross. He does not just restore the temple building, but makes us the "temple" where God now dwells. Hallelujah!

Prayer

Sovereign and gracious God,

You are the Lord of hosts, the One who sees all, rules all, and remembers Your covenant forever. Thank You that You are not silent when we grow weary, but You speak gracious and comforting words. Thank You that our Savior intercedes for us even when we do not know how to pray. Forgive us for judging You by our circumstances and forgetting Your faithful promises. Restore in us the hope of Your kingdom. Tear down the strongholds that oppose You, and build us up as living stones in Your holy temple. Help us to trust that You are not done with us, our church, or this world. Fill us with confidence that You will again comfort Zion, for You have chosen her through Christ.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.