The Four Chariots

Bible Study Questions 10303

PASSAGE: Zechariah 6:1-15

COMMENT: The vision of the four chariots is the last of eight night visions in the first six chapters of Zechariah (called night visions because Zechariah said, “I saw by night” – 1:8). Later in the chapter, Joshua the high priest is honored and Jesus Christ is seen in type. This chapter shows why many people think that Zechariah is the most difficult book in the Bible. But, do not be discouraged. You do not have to understand everything in a passage in order to receive a blessing from it. God has something for you in this chapter. Look for it.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1. Zechariah lifted up his eyes and saw _________ chariots come out from between _______ mountains.

2. The angel identified the four chariots as the four ___________ of the heavens.

3. Of the horses that went forth, the ________ horses sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth.

4. Certain men of the captivity were told to take silver and gold and make __________.

5. Of Joshua the high priest, it was said, he shall build the __________ of the Lord and he shall bear the _________.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. See if you can identify the eight visions found in the first six chapters of Zechariah. Try to give each of them names; like “The Vision of the Four Chariots.”

2. Compare the colors of the horses of the four chariots (v.2-3) to the four horses of Revelation 6:1-8. How do the colors compare? By reading the context, tell what you think the meanings of the colors are in Revelation. If you want to go further in your study of the vision in Zechariah, these meanings could help you. That is an example of interpreting a passage by comparing scripture with scripture.

3. What the Lord says of Joshua the high priest certainly applies also in the prophetic way to Jesus Christ. In verse 12, He states, “Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD.” Jesus is called a branch in several Old Testament prophecies (see Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15; Zechariah 3:8). Read the above statement from verse twelve very carefully. In what ways does it tell of the coming Saviour Jesus Christ?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1. After the two chariots went toward the north (v.6), the angel speaking for the Lord said, “Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country” (v.8). If you can, tell what you think might have quieted the spirit of the Lord. But even if you cannot understand what is happening (Bible teachers cannot agree on it either), make a practical application by considering the following. What kinds of things trouble the spirit of the Lord? How can His spirit be quieted when it is troubled?

2. Of Joshua and certainly in reference to Jesus it is prophesied, “he shall be a priest upon his throne” (v.13). We do not usually think of a priest connected with a throne. What office does a throne make you think of? How are these two offices combined in Jesus Christ?

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES: Zechariah 6:12

TEXT: Zechariah 6:1 And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.

2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;

3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.

4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?

5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country.

7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.

8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

9 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;

11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

14 And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.

15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.

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