INTRODUCTION:

            The second of Zechariah’s night visions is recorded for us in the closing verses of chapter one.  By the time Zechariah’s prophetic ministry had begun, Israel understood suffering, having suffered greatly at the hands of the Gentiles.  Moses had prophesied that if they forgot the LORD and worshiped and served idols that the punishment would be at the hands of Gentile nations.  Throughout Israel’s history because of their spiritual waywardness, they faced opposition, captivity, enslavement, and death at the hands of foreign invaders.  For those returning to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, this was not something that had happened to their ancestors, they had experienced this oppression firsthand.  For this reason, because of their past and the present, as they were still under the bondage of the Persian empire, the people of Zechariah’s day needed reassurance that God remembered His promise to judge the nations.  In Zechariah’s first vision, the LORD revealed that He was zealous for His people, and very angry at the nations.  In this second vision, God gave the people of Israel the reassurance that He remained absolutely sovereign over the nations and that He had a plan to punish Israel’s enemies.  This vision really concerns the doctrine of divine sovereignty, and this doctrine provides confidence and comfort for all who understand it and believe God’s Word.

            To address the mistreatment of God’s people by the Gentile nations, Zechariah’s second vision reveals God’s plan to conquer and punish the nations.  The vision shows us that God’s plan is so comprehensive that it not only answered the concern of the people in Zechariah’s day, but it also provided encouragement for believers throughout all time.  With a vision of horns and craftsmen, God showed to Zechariah what He had already revealed some of which had already taken place and exactly what will happen in history’s glorious conclusion.  The nations will ultimately bow to one ruler, the Lord Jesus Christ.  That promise is the hope of God’s people in a world that rages against God and His Anointed One (Psalm 2:1-3).  Let’s pray before turning to the second night vision.

--PRAY--

 

SCRIPTURE:

            Turn in your Bibles this morning to Zechariah 1:18-21.  If you are able, please stand, in honor of the reading of God’s Word and follow along as I read.

     Zechariah 1:18-21,

            “Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there were four horns. So I said to the angel who was speaking with me, ‘What are these?’  And he answered me, ‘These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.’  Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen. I said, ‘What are these coming to do?’  And he said, ‘These are the horns which have scattered Judah so that no man lifts up his head; but these craftsmen have come to terrify them, to throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.’ ” (Zechariah 1:18–21, NASB95)[1]

THE HORNS (Zechariah 1:18-19)

            Zechariah lifted up his eyes and saw, this phrase is often used in Scripture to indicate something new or unusual. In this case it was an indication that a new vision was beginning, the first of the horsemen had faded and a new comes into focus.  This phrase describes heightened attention and alertness.  Other examples of this are found in Scripture.  Abraham lifted up his eyes to see a ram caught in a thicket by its horns (Genesis 22:13).  Jacob lifted up his eyes to see Esau coming (Genesis 33:1).  Joshua lifted up his eyes to see the captain of God’s army outside of Jericho (Joshua 5:13). Zechariah lifted up his eyes because a new revelation had captured his attention.

            In this second vision, Zechariah’s attention was immediately and intently drawn to what was before him, it says that he looked and behold.  What did he behold?  In place of the Angel of Yahweh and the patrolling horsemen were four horns.  Horns can refer to the horns of a cow or ox, or the horns of a goat or a ram.  It can also refer to the antlers belonging to the deer family.  The horn was often used to signify power or might.  David called God the horn of his salvation in 2nd Samuel 22:3.  Hannah, the mother of Samuel, spoke of the horn of God’s Anointed One, or the Messiah in 1st Samuel 2:10.  These images all describe great power capable of fulfilling its intended purpose, these are symbolic of strength that overcomes and prevails against its foe.

            Zechariah would have immediately understood the symbolism of the horns, but he wanted clarity on their meaning in this vision.  What did these horns represent?  The prophet writes, “So I said to the angel who was speaking with me, ‘What are these?’ ” (Zechariah 1:19a, NASB95)[2] He was eager for the interpretation of this vision.  He certainly asked the right person because the angel that was speaking with Zechariah was the same angel that had explained the significance of the first vision.  This angel may have been the interpreting angel in Ezekiel’s and Daniel’s visions (Ezekiel 40:3; Daniel 7:16).  As already mentioned this angel’s task was to provide Zechariah with illumination so that he would understand the significance of what he was seeing and be able to relate that to the people.

            The angel replied, “These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 1:19b, NASB95)[3]  In other words, these horns represented something or someone that had scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.  The question that needs to be answered is who or what do these horns represent?  In the Old Testament prophets, only one other book focuses on the imagery of horns and there role in history as symbols of strength and power.  The only other prophetic book that uses horns in this sense is Daniel.  It should be noted that there are many similarities between Zechariah’s visions and Daniel’s visions.  Zechariah had his visions at night, so did Daniel.  Both involved interpreting angels, perhaps even the same angel.  Daniel’s vision in chapter seven involved cruel, terrifying animals, only the fourth animal had horns, but in chapter eight he had another vision in which both animals had horns and pertained to part of his former vision in chapter seven.  Zechariah in his second vision saw four horns.  The interpreting angel’s explanation pointed Zechariah to Daniel’s visions to help the prophet understand what he was seeing.

            The LORD was not revealing something new to Zechariah but was assuring him that He remembered what He had promised about Israel’s oppressors.  The four horns represent the same things that the four beasts in Daniel’s vision of chapter seven represent and they represent four nations.  They represent Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (and a modified Roman empire that is yet future.)  These nations were super-powers in world history, all of which oppressed Israel.  That these same nations are the four horns of Zechariah’s vision is evident from the description of these horns, that they scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.  Scattering refers to casting something out and dispersing it.  Which God said He would do if the people of Israel and Judah persisted in their disobedience to Him.  He said it through Moses in Leviticus 25:33 which says, “‘You, however, I will scatter among the nations and will draw out a sword after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become waste.” (Leviticus 26:33, NASB95)[4]  God said much the same thing through Jeremiah in Jeremiah 31:10, “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, And declare in the coastlands afar off, And say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him And keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ ” (Jeremiah 31:10, NASB95)[5] And again in Ezekiel 5:32. “‘One third of you will die by plague or be consumed by famine among you, one third will fall by the sword around you, and one third I will scatter to every wind, and I will unsheathe a sword behind them.” (Ezekiel 5:12, NASB95)[6] The LORD used these Gentile nations to disperse the northern and southern kingdom of Israel and Judah from their land, resulting in the scattering of the people from Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.

            The fact that the horns in this second vision represented the four Gentile powers is confirmed both by the background evidence of Daniel and by the description of what these horns will do in Zechariah.  They were described as horns to show that they had pierced or would pierce the nation of Israel at major points in its history.  With this in mind, the LORD, Yahweh, had not forgotten the anguish of His people.  He was not ignorant of the aggression of these nations nor of the plan that He had revealed through Daniel.  Again, the vision demonstrated that God was still sovereign over every nation, and nothing these Gentile powers did to Israel would alter God’s purpose for the restoration and salvation of His covenant people.

 

THE CRAFTSMEN (Zechariah 1:20-21)

            Yahweh did not just remember the affliction suffered by Israel and Judah by these nations seen in this vision, but He also remembered the judgment He had planned and would carry out on them.  This second vision was not yet over, after seeing the four horns and receiving the interpretation of them, the prophet writes, “Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen.” (Zechariah 1:20, NASB95)[7] This term craftsmen can mean many different things, but most often it means artisans which work with precious metals or stones.  It refers to someone who is skilled at hammering, chiseling, smelting, engraving, and casting.  These craftsmen would take the raw material or the uncut stone and break it down or cut it to make something stronger and more beautiful.  The fact that there are four craftsmen suggests that they are somehow related to the four horns.  There is a craftsman for each horn.

            Once again, Zechariah wanted to understand what these craftsmen represented, he wanted to know their significance.  So, he again asked the angel with him, “What are these coming to do?” (Zechariah 1:21a, NASB95)[8]  He knew they had arrived to build, but what exactly?  The angel answered him, “These are the horns which have scattered Judah…” (Zechariah 1:21b, NASB95)[9] By referring back to the horns, the angel explained that the craftsmen entered into the vision because of the four horns, or nations, which all deserved judgment.  These nations had been used by God as instruments of divine discipline in that they scattered Judah as God had said He would.  But they also went too far, “so that no man lifts up his head.” (Zechariah 1:21c, NASB95)[10]  To lift up one’s head was an act of triumph, victory, or dignity; to not lift up one’s head was a sign of shame, humiliation, and defeat.  The four nations represented by the horns and the beasts in Daniel so afflicted God’s people that they left them weak, crushed, discouraged, and despairing.  If you remember from last Sunday and the end of the first vision, God had said He was only a little angry with Israel when He sent the nations to discipline His people.  But they went too far and increased the disaster.  They acted with severe cruelty, committing barbarous acts against Israel and Judah violently and with disdain.

            As a result, these nations would be judged.  The angel continued to explain the purpose of these craftsmen, “… but these craftsmen have come to terrify them, to throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.” (Zechariah 1:21d, NASB95)[11] To terrify them means to cause them to tremble which can mean to physically shake, often brought on by extreme fear and worry.  This description is often used of people who experience complete and catastrophic loss in the face of an enemy.  The craftsmen had come to cause each horn or nation to be overwhelmed in utter defeat.  The angel makes this clear when he states that they will throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.  These nations had the self-confident nerve to lift up their own horn, or might, against God’s chosen nation.  Such language makes a word play on what was just said above.  The nations sought to “lift up” their own power and pride, to the point that the people of Judah could not even “lift up” their own heads.  Instead of strictly carrying out God’s righteous judgment, these nations flaunted their power and might.  In so doing, they went overboard in scattering Israel into exile.  God responded in judgment, sending four craftsmen to throw down those nations who were lifted up, a direct punishment on them for their arrogance.  Divine judgment would crush these superpowers who had violently scattered Israel and Judah in exile.  The Lord would execute vengeance for His own.

            One more question must be answered in order to understand all the details of this revelation.  Who are the craftsmen?  Once again the vision of Daniel seven becomes crucial for answering this question.  In Zechariah, each horn had a craftsman who terrified it and destroyed it.  In Daniel’s vision, each nation was destroyed by a succeeding nation.  This means that the craftsmen in Zechariah’s vision appear to be the very nation that destroyed and succeeded their predecessor.  Babylon represented the first horn was conquered by Medo-Persia, the first craftsman.  Then Medo-Persia as the second horn was defeated and destroyed by Greece, the second craftsman.  After that, Greece as the third horn was destroyed by Rome, the third craftsman.  With that God assured His people that He would deal with the cruel and godless Gentile nations.  He would not allow them to go unpunished for their injustice against God’s people.  His plan was advancing the way He had revealed it to Daniel.

            But you are saying, there is one more horn and one more craftsman.  You are right, Zechariah’s message does not stop here, because only three horns and three craftsmen have been identified.  Who is the fourth horn and the fourth craftsman?  According to Daniel’s vision, the final major nation is Rome (the fourth horn), and it will be overthrown by a stone not made with hands, who is the Lord Jesus Christ.  His kingdom will grow into a great mountain that will fill the whole earth.  The fourth and final craftsman is the Messiah, the Son of God, and His kingdom will never be defeated.

            Historically, parts of Daniel’s and Zechariah’s visions have already taken place.  Babylon was conquered and overthrown by the Medo-Persians in 539 B.C.  Medo-Persa was destroyed by Greece in 333 B.C.  Greece was overthrown by the Romans in the first or second century B.C.  Ultimately some likeness of the Roman Empire will be revived and then destroyed by the Messiah according to Daniel 2:34-35, and 45.  As Daniel and Zechariah revealed, there is no other craftsman after the Messiah, for His kingdom will never be overthrown.

 

CONCLUSION:

            Wrapping up this second vision of the horns and the craftsmen, God revealed that He not only remembered the nations and their wrongdoing, but also their judgment, and He will also cause all godless nations to be subjugated by the One who can never be defeated—the Lord Jesus Christ.  God’s plan has not changed but rather continues to determine the climax of world history.  For those in every age who witness the chaos of the evil nations the doctrine of divine sovereignty provides encouragement and comfort, not only for the people of Zechariah’s day, but for all of God’s people.  In every age, the saints face enmity from the world.  The early church was persecuted by both Jews and Gentiles.  Paul stated in Colossians 1:24, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” (Colossians 1:24, NASB95)[12] In other words, Paul is stating that he participated in Christ’s afflictions because the persecution against Paul was really aimed at the Lord Jesus.  Paul’s own former participation in the persecution of Christians illustrates this truth.  On the road to Damascus, headed to persecute Christians, Paul was blinded, and the Lord Jesus said to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4b, NASB95)[13]  To persecute the church was to persecute the Lord of the church.  From God’s perspective, to assault His people is to attack Him.  This means, that in their hatred toward God’s people, the nations have been raging and railing against God.  This was true of Israel in the past as seen in our passage today, it is true of the church in the present, and it will be true of Israel again in the future.  But the encouragement and comfort are ours when we understand that God is sovereign over all the nations, He remembers those who have persecuted us, mistreated us, imprisoned us, and killed us and they have already been condemned and one day their final judgment will come.  Take comfort in a God who is sovereign, who has promised us a home with Him some day in a kingdom that will never be defeated, a kingdom that will endure forever.

 

[1]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[2]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[3]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[4]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[5]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[6]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[7]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[8]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[9]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[10]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[11]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[12]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[13]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.