ZECHARIAH 1:7-11
GOD RETURNS TO HIS PEOPLE OR
The Rider Amidst the Myrtle Trees
[Haggai 2:15-19]
We now come to visions and revelations of the Lord. After the introduction to the entire book, which was Zechariah's opening sermon on repentance (1:1-6), a new section of prophecy is given in the form of a series of night visions (1:7-6:8). After Zechariah followed the Lord's first instructions - to preach repentance - the Lord continued to speak to him. Maybe the reason God is no longer speaking to you is because you have not followed His first instructions to you. The text tonight is the first in the series of eight visions which unfold a message of Divine Comfort. All of these visions have the same scope in that they encompass the present people of God and then extend into the period of restoration of the kingdom of Israel on earth (Acts 1:6).
These visions that were revealed to the prophet, though each is complete in itself, form a picture of Israel, the God ruled one’s future. They disclose the ultimate hope found in eschatology (final things), though all of the visions had an immediate and significant ministry of comfort and encouragement to the poor and feeble remnant that had returned from Babylonian exile and were desperately struggling to establish themselves in a ruined city under the heel of a foreign power.
The general format in all these visions is first to present a symbol and then a question is asked and then the interpretation is given.
The Lord responds to the pleas of His people (CIT. 1:7-17).
I. The Vision and its Manifestation, 1:7-8.
II. The Vision and its Meaning, 1:9-11.
[III. The Vision and its Message, 1:12-17.]
Vision 1 (1:7-11) presents the message of the LORD's concern for Zion, which is elaborated on in vision 2 [(1:18-21) seen in the overthrow of her enemies,] and in vision 3 [(2:1-13) seen in the protection and prosperity of the restored community. The visions convey truth to Zechariah which he is to pass on to the people of Jerusalem. Their purpose is to encourage them to abandon the survive–for–the–moment mentality that persisted among them and to persevere in the work they are undertaking, by setting before them the glorious promises of God concerning their future as the people of God.]
Let’s now look at the visionary rider amidst the Myrtle trees.
I. THE VISION AND ITS MANIFESTATION (1:7-8)
The people of Zechariah's day were unsettled and uncertain. They were not sure what was happening to them and how God was working in their lives, in their nation, and in the world. Their perplexity was undermining their confidence, so God sent Zechariah to show them that He had not abandoned His people. By means of the symbolic representations in the visions, God revealed to them the spiritual dimension to the events of their day. This first vision emphasizes that all human life is under God's supervision, and the situation of His people is near to His heart.
Verse 7 again sets the background for the revelation. On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month (which is the month Sebat) in the second year of Darius, the Word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, as follows:
About three months after the introductory message of repentance comes this second visionary message also called “the Word of the Lord.” Hebrews 1:1 says that “the Lord spoke at various times and in many ways.” Divinely communicated visions were one of these diverse manners (Num. 12:6). Prior to the people’s repentance they had been disobeying the Lord by twisting their priorities and motives. They had been serving themselves and their work had not prospered. Their fields had not flourished. Their vines and trees had not been fruitful. But when they heeded Zechariah's and Haggai's call to repent, God said their fortunes would change.
During this three month interlude from Zechariah's first word the prophet Haggai had delivered his last two stirring messages. The first ending with “from this day forth will I bless you” (2:19) and the second containing the announcement that God would shake the heavens and kingdoms of the nations to accomplish the restoration and exaltation of the Davidic House (2:22).
Now, two months after Haggai’s last recorded message that the Lord would bless His people and would glorify them in the future; the Lord begins giving Zechariah visionary symbols and imagery of this blessing and glorification.
Verse 8 begins the vision by focusing on a man and the horses He leads. I saw the night and behold, a man was riding on a red horse and he was standing among the myrtle trees which were in the deep with red, sorrel and white horses behind him.
During the dead of night Zechariah saw, not dreamed. He was in a Spirit induced depth of consciousness that attuned the prophet to God in such a way that he could fully respond to the operations and promptings of the Spirit while the pictures of the divine objects were revealed in his soul. [It is not entirely clear what constitutes the difference between a dream and a vision except that in a vision it would appear that the prophet was able to interact with what was presented to him but in a dream he was a passive viewer of what was revealed. Visions are particularly associated with Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and John (Rev. 9:17).]
The prophet, in this state of prophetic ecstasy, sees a man a top a red horse standing among the myrtles in the deep and behind the man were horses (probably with riders) of red, speckled (sorrel or bay), and white color. The man seems to be head of a troop of heavenly cavalry.
The prominent mentioning and position of the rider on the red horse is stressed even more by the interjection, behold.
A. Who is the Man and what does He symbolize?
The red-horse rider was an angelic being yet distinct from the other angels because he is clearly differentiated as being at the head of the other angelic riders (who by comparison are not even mentioned).
Who is this mysterious rider amidst the myrtle trees? We are told in verse ll that He is “the Angel of the Lord,” who is none other than the Angel of the Presence (Ex. 23:23; Isa. 63:9). The Divine Angel [אלח- messenger, prophet] of the covenant, the second person of the Holy Trinity who earlier showed Himself to Abraham (Gen. 16:7-13, 18:1-19:1, 22:11-12), Moses (Ex. 3:2-6), the Judges (Judges 6:22-23) and prophets (1 Kgs. 19:7; 1 Chron. 21:16; Isa. 37:36). Hosea 12:3 boldly declares He is none other that than the Lord Himself. Thus we conclude He is the Angel or Messenger of YAHWEH (Jehovah), the Pre-incarnate Christ.
These mediator appearances were anticipations of His incarnation and of the incomprehensible humbling when He condescended to take upon Himself human flesh for the purpose of bringing about our salvation.
He is riding a red horse because He stands ready to trample His foes as just consequence to the law He mediated (Ex. 19, Isa. 63:1-6, Rev. 9:11).
B. The Myrtle Trees Symbolize The Remnant Israel
The tree of significance is not a proud cedar nor a far spreading oak, the symbols of great world powers, but a lowly fragrant myrtle or evergreen tree (Neh. 8:15, Isa. 41:19; 55:13). For it is with those of a contrite and humble spirit that the Most High One ever dwells and with whom He identifies Himself (Isa. 57:15, 66:2).
The myrtle is a common indigenous shrub growing all over Palestine usually as a low bush adorning the barren hillside. [The Burning Bush in which God as the Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses was probably a myrtle (Ex. 3).] This small evergreen rarely exceeds eight feet. It also produces a fruit of edible berries. It has dark green leaves and white, star-like clusters of fragrant flowers, the petals of which emit a rich fragrance when crushed. Being an evergreen, the myrtle illustrates the Jewish people’s staying quality through history. Being small, it illustrates the insignificant state of the nation when compared with the Gentile world powers. Israel is not likened to a cedar of Lebanon, which is majestic, or an oak tree, which is strong. Having blossoms that emit a sweet fragrance when crushed, the myrtle illustrates the strange grace of Israel in affliction. When Zechariah notes that the trees were in a ravine or low-lying area, he is probably pointing to the particularly low state of the Jewish people at the time of vision. [A grove of myrtles were at the foot of the Mount of Olives, in the Kidron Valley which is a possible setting for the vision.]
The Messenger of YHWH is standing among myrtles which are sinking into the deep (Ps. 88:6, 107:23,24). This scene is representative of the insignificant Jewish nation or should we say, Jewish church who might be swallowed up by the foe; be it through other nations, captivity, economic collapse or moral decay.
In the midst of this great deep which threatened to pull them under, stands the Angel of the Lord to support the lowly thicket of myrtle trees.
How rich and consoling to the prophet's heart, and to the people to whom he was to make known what he saw, was this single item in this comforting vision. In the very midst of the remnant, of His oppressed and afflicted people, though the darkness be so thick that they might not see Him, Israel's Redeemer stands encamped with His Host to deliver them.
Governmental powers and national independence had already been taken from Israel but that did not mean that the faithful remnant who returned to the promised land were cast off by God. God did not forget Israel then and neither has He forgotten the true descendants of Abraham today, the Israel of the new covenant (Jer. 30:11, Lev. 21:44).
Today Jesus still stands amongst the lampstands, His churches, that they might not sink and their light go out (Rev. 2-3) whatever trying circumstances they might be facing.
C. The Color of the Horses
The horses symbolize the types of missions on which these angelic bands are about to be sent forth. They are symbols of divine activity in the governing of the earth.
Red is the color of blood, and so is associated with judgment and vengeance (Isa. 63:1-2). In Rev. 6:4 the red horse rider is given a sword to take peace from the earth so that the enemies of God should slay one another.
As in Isaiah 63:4 & 6 our Messiah is riding a red horse which signifies His readiness to go forth and execute swift judgment on those oppressing His people.
Speckled (bay or sorrel) is a mixed colored horse and most likely represents missions of mixed character, both missions of mercy, grace, glory, or deliverance as well as missions of justice or judgment.
White is the symbol of purity, victory and triumph, which in Rev. 6:2 God's Champion brings to His people after conquering their enemies. Under the covenant of the Law, the Messiah rode a red horse but after the victory of the cross He rides a white horse (Rev. 6:2, 19:11).
The assistance and protection of the riders had been previously restrained because of Israel’s evil deeds and wrong pursuits. They stood ready to act, if God’s people would but repent.
II. THE VISION AND ITS MEANING (1:9-12)
Verse 9 indicates that Zechariah at first is unable to work out what it all means. Then I said, "My lord, what are these?" And the angel who was speaking in me said to me, "I will show you what these are."
An inferior interpreting angel is addressed by the prophet as my lord (adonai) in small case letters. The angel promised to show to the prophet the meaning of the vision after Zechariah so requested.
The angel said literally, "I will make you see" meaning give you an understanding heart and mind so that you may comprehend the visions and explanations which follow.
If we would understand God’s revelation, we first must arouse our interest, humble ourselves, and ask. Hopefully that is exactly what each of us is doing here tonight.
The angel with whom Zechariah was speaking defers to the Angel of the Lord who answers in verse 10. And the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered and said, "These are those whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.”
The man standing among the myrtles is the same person the prophet first noticed in verse 8. He is the leader of the squadrons mounted on the variously colored steeds (horses) where they had just come back from their normal duties of patrolling the earth. What a picturesque way of conveying that God is watching and keeping the world under control at all times (2 Chron. 16:9; Prov. 15:3; Jer. 16:17; Zech. 4:10).
How comforting for God's people is this statement! We are not left alone to ourselves and the devil's devices but praise be to God, the Angel of the Lord and His invisible hosts are encamped about the righteous ready to deliver them (Ps. 34:7; 35:5-6). God's designs will not be frustrated. He has His servants walking to and fro about the earth to counter-act and frustrate satan's plans and to comfort and shield the heirs of salvation.
Notice the reason they go to do reconnaissance is on behalf of God's people for it is in relationship to God's people that God deals with all mankind. God could perform all by simply an act of His will but He doesn’t. He allows each of His created beings to prove themselves by performing their function.
May we also realize that the King of the Church has an army of angels under His command, not only to do Him honor but to minister to those who are His. [Notice the Man does not include Himself among those who are described as patrolling. He is their commanding officer.]
In verse 11 the horsemen report on their recent task. So 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 is peaceful and quiet.
The man among the myrtle trees of verses 8 & 10 is now named the Angel of YHWH. The Angel of the LORD is the second person of the Holy Trinity, the preincarnate Christ (Gen. 16:7ff, Josh. 5:31ff, Mal. 3:1). This is the first time in over 200 years since the time of Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:34) that He has manifested His glorious presence.
These horsemen are an angelic army that patrol the whole earth and carry out the LORD of Hosts’ decrees (Deut. 33:2; 1 Kgs. 22:19; Job 1:6-7; 2:1-2; Dan. 7:10; Mt. 27:63). His patrollers find the earth quiet, (literally sitting down), relaxing and at rest. The entire earth is lying down in a respite or absence from war or strife [not shalom].
Different nations which fell under Persian sway were allowed to continue self rule by just paying tribute. Religious tolerance was also practiced. Quiet and rest were the result. Yet Jerusalem was still in ruins and the Temple was not yet rebuilt. All the world was doing well but God's people had not received their blessing because they had not until now repented. God was previously far away because of the sins of self-seeking and disobedience.
Now the people have returned to Him and He has returned to them with His attending blessing which we will see in the following section next week.
