ZECHARIAH 6:1
“Now I raised my eyes again and looked, and behold, four chariots were going out from between the two mountains; and the mountains were bronze mountains.”
One of my favorite, all-time movies is Ben Hur. Probably one the iconic scenes from that movie is the chariot race towards the end of the movie. If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil the ending for you. But it is a great race with lots of action. Those chariots were intimidating in a race. I can’t imagine how they appeared in battle. They must have been terrifying for any soldier on the ground.
This eighth vision of Zechariah is so full of imagery. Most scholars agree, both Jewish and Christian, that the four chariots represent the four great powers that ruled – Babylonian, Medes and Persians, Greek and Roman. But notice the bronze mountains. This seems to indicate that their course was defined by God. He controls and restrains all powers. They can only do what He allows.
APPLICATION
If that is the case, then we have nothing to fear. If every power is under the ultimate authority of God, we know that He will allow only what we can handle. Romans 8:28 comes to mind. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
So, explain the bad things that we face, Carl. I can’t. But I do know that we have to trust the Lord in all things. James talks about that in the first chapter of his epistle. James 1:2-4 says, “2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
I do not understand why we face world powers like these mentioned here in Zechariah. I do not understand the mind of God. I don’t have to. I trust Him. That may sound foolish or naïve. You can think that if you wish. “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.”
Thank You, Lord, for restraining the powers that come against me. I know You are in control.