6:1-8The four chariots were similar to the four horsemen in the first vision. These chariots represent the four angels of God's judgment on the earth.
Life Application Study BibleZechariahChapter 6
Zechariah 6
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1507, 1508
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6Zechariah 6
Four Chariots
1Then I looked up again and saw four chariots coming from between two bronze mountains. 2The first chariot was pulled by red horses, the second by black horses, $ the third by white horses, and the fourth by powerful dappled-gray horses. 4“And what are these, my lord?” Lasked the angel who was talking with me. 5The angel replied, 6These are the four spirits* of heaven who stand before the LORD of all the earth. They are going out to do his work. The chariot with black horses is going north, the chariot with white horses is going west,* and the chariot with dappled-gray horses is going south.” 7The powerful horses were eager to set out to patrol the earth. And the LORD said, “Go and patrol the earth!” So they left at once on their patrol. 8Then the LORD summoned me and said, 11Look, those who went north have vented the anger of my Spirit* there in the land of the north.” 5:2 Hebrew 20 cubits [9 meters] fong and 10 cubits (4.5 meters] wide. 5:6a Hebrew an ephah [20 quarts or 22 liters]; also in 5:7, 8, 9, 1. 5:6b As in Greek version, Hebrew reads the appearance. 5:11 Hebrew the land of Shinar. 6:5 Or the four winds, 6:6 Hebrew is going after them. 6:8 Hebrew have given my Spirit rest. 2. Zechariah’s words of encouragement The Crowning of Jeshua °Then I received another message from the LORD: 10“Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah will bring gifts of silver and gold from the Jews exiled in Babylon. As soon as they arrive, meet them at the home of Josiah son of Zephaniah. ‘Accept their gifts, and make a crown* from the silver and gold. Then put the crown on the head of Jeshua* son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the LORD. 13Yes, he will build the Temple of the LORD. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne,* and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’ 14"The crown will be a memorial in the Temple of the LORD to honor those who gave it— Heldai,* Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah* son of Zephaniah.” 15People will come from distant lands to rebuild the Temple of the LORD. And when this happens, you will know that my messages have been from the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. All this will happen if you carefully obey what the LORD your God says.
Textual footnotes
- 6:11a As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads crowns.
- 6:11b Hebrew Joshua, a variant spelling of Jeshua.
- 6:13 Or There will be a priest by his throne.
- 6:14a As in Syriac version (compare 6:10); Hebrew reads Helem.
- 6:14b As in Syriac version (compare 6:10); Hebrew reads Hen.
Life Application Notes 4 notes
6:6,8The black horses that went north executed God’s judgment in the north country. God is angry with sin and with the wicked (Psalm 7:11), and his anger is expressed in judgment. As much as we like to concentrate on God’s love and mercy, anger and judgment are also part of his righteous character. If you have unconfessed or habitual sin in your life, confess it and turn away from it. Confession releases God’s mercy. but refusing to repent invites his judgment.
6:9-15This vision is about the Messiah, the King-Priest. In the days of the kings and after the Exile, Judah’s government was to be ruled by two distinct persons—the king, ruling the nation’s political life, and the high priest, ruling its religious life. Kings and priests had often been corrupt. God was telling Zechariah that someone worthy of the crown would come to rule as both king (“rule as king from his throne”) and priest {“as priest from his throne”). This was an unlikely combination for that day.
6:15Some of God's promises are conditional—we must obey him to receive them. The rebuilding of the Temple required careful obedience. God would protect the people as long as they obeyed. Casual or occasional obedience, the result ofa halfhearted or divided commitment, would not lead to blessing. Many of God’s blessings come to us as a result of diligent obedience. Inconsistent obedience can't produce consistent blessing.
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