Zechariah sees messengers reporting to God that the surrounding nations that have oppressed Judah are living in careless and sinful ease.
Significance: Israel was asking, “Why isn’t God punishing the wicked?” Wicked nations may prosper, but not forever. God will bring upon them the judgment they deserve.
Zechariah sees four horns, representing the four world powers that oppressed and scattered the people of Judah and Israel. Then he sees four carpenters who will throw down the horns.
Significance: God will do what he promised. After the evil nations have carried out his will in punishing his people, God will destroy these nations for their sin.
Zechariah sees a man measuring the city of Jerusalem. The city will one day be full of people, and God himself will be a wall around the city.
Significance: The city will be restored in God’s future Kingdom. God will keep his promise to protect his people.
Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before God. Joshua’s filthy clothes are exchanged for fine new clothes; Satan’s accusations against him are rejected by God.
Significance: The story of Joshua the high priest pictures how the filthy clothes of sin are replaced with the pure linen of God’s righteousness. Christ has taken our clothes of sin and replaced them with God’s righteousness. (See Ephesians 4:24; 1 John 1:9.)
Zechariah sees a lampstand that is continually kept burning by an unlimited reservoir of oil. This picture reminds the people that it is only through God’s Spirit that they will succeed, not by their own might and resources.
Significance: The Spirit of God is given without measure. Human effort does not make a difference. The work of God is not accomplished in human strength.
Zechariah sees a flying scroll, which represents God’s curse.
Significance: By God’s word and Spirit, every person will be judged. The individual’s sin is the focus here, not the sins of the nation. God’s curse is a symbol of destruction; all sin will be judged and removed.
Zechariah sees a vision of a woman in a basket. She represents the wickedness of the nations. The angel packed the woman back into the basket and sent her back to Babylon.
Significance: Sins of the individual were judged in the last vision (5:1-4); now sin is being removed from society. Sin has to be eradicated in order to clean up the nation and the individual.
Zechariah sees a vision of four horses and chariots. The horses represent God’s judgment on the world—one is sent north, the direction from which most of Judah’s enemies came. The other horses are patrolling the world, ready to execute judgment at God’s command.
Significance: Judgment will come upon those who oppress God’s people—it will come in God’s time and at his command.