Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 1:20
And the LORD showed me four carpenters.
20. the Lord ] Jehovah, from whom the whole series of visions proceeded, Zec 1:7.
four carpenters ] Rather, artificers, or workmen; ( smiths, R. V.). The word is used of working in wood, but also in metals and in stone. Isa 44:12-13; 2Sa 5:11. There is no ground for the idea that these artificers represent angelic ministries. They rather indicate generally the various human agencies, corresponding in number and variety to the enemies of Israel, by the instrumentality of which those enemies should be overthrown. “Comparat gentes, qu infest fuerant Judis, cornibus: postea comparet fabris alios hostes, quorum manu et opera utitur Deus ad frangendos conatus eorum omnium, qui molesti erunt ecclesi.” Calvin.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Zec 1:20
And the Lord shewed me four carpenters
The counterbalancing of agencies
Evil agencies are counterbalanced by good–for there is a Divine providence always at work in this world.
The prophet saw four horns, representing the powers by which Judah had been scattered; but at the same time he saw four carpenters, the instruments raised up by God to accomplish a Divine work.
I. The world is made for the Church. Men read the history of nations without the slightest reference to the Church of the living God. They look at passing events and circumstances without believing that they are the development of a Divine providence at work in the world. It may be thought that the world was made for unfallen man. Was it not rather made to be the scene of mans trial and probation? It is a fact that the world was mapped out with a peculiar reference to the locality and home of the Church. The world was made for Christ, and therefore for the Church. The world was made to be the school for unfallen intelligences. It was made to be the tabernacle of God.
II. The work going on in the world is in accordance with the Divine plan. There is a charm in history, since it not only annihilates the distances of time and space, but transports us to other scenes and periods. If you are a devout student of history you will see a Divine hand prescribing, the limits of conquest and the extent of a nations duration. There is, then, eternal order underlying the worlds disorder, and a Divine will subordinating all human wills. The great chapters of the worlds history have all been written beforehand. We have only seen parts of the plan, some of the first chapters–strange and startling.
III. The work of God in this world is under Divine supervision and angelic inspection. From some brief hints, it would appear as if the government of the worlds provinces had been, in some measure, intrusted to the management of angels in former times.
IV. Evil agencies are counterbalanced by good. In the natural world there are opposite forces, and laws that seem antagonistic, but these agencies are counterbalanced. We have darkness and light–we have night and day. All the forces in this world are adjusted by Divine wisdom, and thus the balance of the universe is preserved. There are opposite powers in the world. There is Satan, and there is Christ. For this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. There is sin; and yet sin is counteracted by grace. There is flesh, and there is spirit. The one seems to be the adversary of the other. Is the law in our members always to bring us into captivity to sin? No. Flesh itself is to be transfigured, to be consecrated and hallowed. There is death in the world. All men die, though Christ has died; all men shall rise, because Christ has risen. Thus evil agencies are counterbalanced by good. If there are powers hostile to the Church and to us, there are powers that are directly opposed to them, and that are at work for us, for said the prophet, The Lord shewed me four carpenters. (H. J. Bevis.)
Four carpenters
I. The truth exhibited in this vision.
1. The champions of the Church are as numerous as its assailants.
2. They are more powerful than its assailants.
3. They are seasonably provided.
II. The ground on which this truth rests. On the love, power, promises, and dispensations of God. (G. Brooks.)
Zechariahs vision
When God makes the prophet, He does not unmake the man. Each sacred writer preserves his individuality. Character and circumstance leave their impress on the inspired productions. Zechariah was moulded by the peculiarities of the age in which he lived. He was raised up to incite the Jews zeal in building the temple. His mind overflowed with it. He could think of nothing else. Hence we cannot marvel that, when he prophesied, he used architectural figures. At one time he sees a man with measuring line, and anon he says, The Lord shewed me four carpenters.
1. Gods works are often unobserved. The Lord shewed me. The seer did not behold them at first. Only when Divine help was afforded did he become aware of them. Are there not thousands who resemble him? As regards nature it is so. Eyes have they, and they see not. What is true of creation is true with double emphasis and touching revelation. The Bible is dull and uninteresting to some. Others delight in it. Why the difference? The last have Divine teaching.
2. Gods works are creative. Carpenters. These are constructive agents. Building, not demolishing, is their proper work. In seeking our own spiritual and moral welfare, we cannot too often remember this important principle–the true method of destroying is by creating. Get good into your heart, and it will cast out evil.
3. Gods works are compensative. Four. Observe the number. It corresponds with the number of Israels foes. There is more of equality in mens conditions than is often supposed. A grand law of compensation is in operation. God hath set one thing over against the other. As regards riches and poverty, adversity and prosperity, there is compensation. Everywhere evil is counterbalanced by good. Our mercies outweigh our miseries. (T. R. Stevenson.)
The four carpenters
The Hebrew word means workman in iron, brass, and stone, as well as wood. They are here the workmen of God. The horn is the instrument of power. The four horns are the symbols of persecutors, of violence and oppression, of the destroyers of the people and State. How were they to be crushed, put to fear, destroyed? That the prophet could never have found out for himself. The Lord showed him four carpenters. They were to fray (frighten) the horns. It would be heart breaking if there were nothing for us but to realise the evils we have brought on ourselves; if we were left only to all that we could see of our troubles. But there is a revelation for us, and an interpretation of the revelation too. The four horns were met by four carpenters. It was a declaration to Zechariah that there existed–ready to act out of the unseen world, whether by energising human means, or not–a system of counterpoises, and counter influences, and means of salvation, with Divine intentions concerning them, all of which were there, though man saw them not. God revealed the workers of the spirit world. Zechariah saw four horns; it was the human apprehending the terrible; and the terrible is not ignored by God; it is emphasised, it is explained. God puts their evil work against His people side by side with the work that He will do in their behalf. There was a matching of four against four. All evil meets its match in every part when God comes forth to work. If there be bad influences against you and yours, God can bring counter influences against them, and He can break the spell of evil already done. Why need you ever despair of restoration, of help, of salvation, be your cause never so low? The Son of God has come that He might destroy the works of the devil. (P. B. Power, M. A.)
.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 20. Four carpenters.] Four other powers, who should defeat the powers intended by the horns. These are the same as the four chariots mentioned Zec 6:1-3; Zec 6:6-7. The first was NABOPOLASSAR, father of Nebuchadnezzar, who overturned the empire of the Assyrians. The second was CYRUS, who destroyed the empire of the Chaldeans. The third was ALEXANDER the Great, who destroyed the empire of the Persians. And the fourth was PTOLEMY, who rendered himself master of Egypt. Some of these had already been cast down; the rest were to follow. Calmet gives this interpretation, and vindicates it at length.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The Lord; Jehovah, who before is the Angel, i.e. Christ, he is the eternal One, the great God.
Showed me; both proposed the thing to be seen, and gave eyes to see and discern it.
Four carpenters; known by their garb and tools to be carpenters, or smiths, as the Hebrew bears it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
20. four carpentersor”artificers.” The several instrumentalities employed, or tobe employed, in crushing the “Gentile” powers which”scattered” Judah, are hereby referred to. For every one ofthe four horns there was a cleaving “artificer” tobeat it down. For every enemy of God’s people, God has provided acounteracting power adequate to destroy it.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the Lord showed me four carpenters. To saw and cut in pieces the four horns; or rather “four blacksmiths” y; these horns were horns of iron; so the word is rendered a “smith” in 1Sa 13:19 and indeed it signifies both a worker in wood and a worker in iron; and who are sometimes distinguished by what they work in, whether wood or iron; see Isa 44:12. The Jews say z these four carpenters are Messiah ben David, Messiah ben Ephraim, Elijah, and the priest of righteousness; or, as elsewhere a, Elijah, the King Messiah, Melchizedek, and he that was anointed for war; though Kimchi much better interprets them of the kings, the princes above, who preside over kingdoms, that is, the angels; and so Jerom and Theodoret; who have been sometimes employed in the destruction of the enemies of God’s people, or in preventing them doing the mischief they otherwise would; and even the several monarchies themselves have been the means of destroying each other; so the Babylonians were destroyed by the Medes and Persians; the Persians by the Grecians; the Grecians by the Romans; and the Romans by the Goths, Hunns, Vandals, c. in the western part of the empire and by the Saracens and Turks in the eastern part of it: and they may be applied to the apostles of Christ, who were chiefly mechanics, mean and illiterate persons, yet workmen in the Gospel, that need not to be ashamed; and who were sent by Christ into the four parts of the world, to spread his Gospel, set up his interest, and pull down the kingdom of Satan: and since the Jews make the Messiah himself one of these carpenters, they have no reason to upbraid or be offended at Jesus our Messiah being a carpenter, and a carpenter’s son, as in
Mt 13:55 and Kimchi owns that their ancient Rabbins explain this verse of the days of the Messiah.
y “fabros ferrarios”, Pembellus, Sanctius, Burkius. z T. Bab. Succa, fol. 52. 2. a Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 11. 4. Vid. Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 14. fol. 111. 4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
ZECHARIAH – Chapter I
The Third Vision
Verses 20, 21:
The Four Carpenters, Vision 3
Verse 20 states that the Lord showed Zechariah four carpenters, carvers, engravers, of artifacers, men who could build or tear down, as the tower of Babel was, as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities found about them were, and as the cities of Nineveh and Babylon were, Deu 33:25; Jdg 2:16; 1Sa 12:11. Zechariah then asked the angel what these four carpenters, who were “skilled to destroy”, had come to do, to which the following angelic explanation was given:
Verse 21 gives the angelic interpretation of the four horns (Gentile powers) that had oppressed Judah, until all were so fearful, humiliated, and dehumanized that no man would lift up his head, with any pride of self esteem, Psa 75:4-5; Lam 2:17. These carpenters had come to terrorize these who had terrorized the people of God beyond reason, Job 10:15; Eze 30:9; Eze 34:21.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
But we must join the latter part, — that God showed also to the Prophet four smiths, for these two visions are connected together. Whosoever then takes only the first part, acts very absurdly, for the meaning of the prophecy will not be thus evident. If then we would not mutilate what is connected, we must not separate what is added respecting the four smiths. Inasmuch then as the Jews had been on every side oppressed, God shows that he has remedies enough, and even from various quarters. The Prophet had seen four horns; he now sees four smiths, that is, he is made to know that God can immediately find means to check all disorders and tumults; for he can beat as it were on an anvil these horns, and break in pieces those which had previously scattered the Jews. The same view then is to be taken of the number four as in the former instance: for as the Chaldeans had raged against the Jews, so the Lord shows that he had enemies ready at hand, as he had already in part made it evident; for how was it that the Persian and Medes had so suddenly taken possession of Babylon, had they not been workmen whom God had employed to strike down the Babylonian horn? And whence was it that the Syrians, the Egyptians, and other nations had been made prostrate? It was because they were horns. But the Lord broke down the ferocity of so many nations by his many workmen, for he employed these as though they were hired and ready to do his service. We now apprehend the real object of the Prophet.
But though the Prophet intended by this prophecy to encourage and animate to patience his own nation, as the Spirit of God had given him this office; yet there is here set before us by the Lord as in a mirror, the real condition of the Church at this day. Let us not then wonder if the world rage on every side against the Church and if storms and tempests arise from the east as well as from the west: nor is it a new thing that many enemies from various parts unite together; and that God’s Church should thus have to bear many assaults. This is one thing. In the meantime let this be our consolation, — that God has many smiths at hand. Very apposite is the Prophet’s metaphor; for the hardiness of the horns was formidable LO the Jews; but the Prophet intimates that there is hardness in the hammers, capable of breaking in pieces all horns. God then, though we may be struck by our enemies, will find smiths to break them in pieces; and this indeed is what we have found by experience. How comes it, that the small number of those who purely worship God continue to exist, notwithstanding the rage of enemies, and in spite of so many consultations and devices? For what do all monarchies desire more, or with greater avidity, than to extinguish the memory of the gospel? If then we enquire, what is the condition of the whole world at this day, we shall find that there is hardly a city or a people, or a monarch, or even one of the least princes, whose race is not exhibited against the Church. How then comes it, that they do not put forth their strength and demolish the Church, which by one breath might a hundred times fall to the ground? How is this, except that God by his handlers breaks the horns, and that by means of smiths?
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(20) Carpenters.Better, workmen, for the Hebrew word does not mean carpenters, unless followed by the word meaning wood.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Zec 1:20. Four carpenters Or as many subverters of the kingdoms as the kingdoms were which had oppressed the Jews. The word choresh, signifies a mechanic, or artificer in brass, iron, wood, stone, &c.
REFLECTIONS.1st, The prophet Zechariah received his commission from God, and began to speak about two months after Haggai. He is called the son of Berechiah; and was the same, as some suppose, whom our Lord mentions, Mat 23:35 as slain between the porch and the altar, the son of Iddo the prophet, which may refer to Zechariah, and not his grandfather; or he might be a prophet also. He begins his discourse,
1. With reminding the Jews of the sins and provocations of their forefathers, with whom God was highly displeased, and whom he had severely punished, whose sufferings should be a warning to them.
2. With exhorting them to turn unto God; and gives them the most gracious encouragement to do so, for he will turn unto you; and thrice he adds, thus saith the Lord of Hosts, to give weight and authority to the admonition, and engage their faith in the certainty of his promised mercy. Conscious guilt makes the heart fearful; and the sinner, who sees his iniquities in their true colours, can scarcely be persuaded that God can and will receive one so unworthy into his favour.
3. He reminds them of the sins of their forefathers, which had provoked God, and bids them take warning by their sufferings, and not imitate their bad examples. Be ye not as your fathers, treading in their steps, who, though repeatedly, fervently, and for a long season called upon by the former prophets to repent, turned a deaf ear to God’s word, and hardened their hearts; and where are they? They went captives into a strange land; and many of them no doubt cut off in their iniquities, and were gone to receive the just reward of their deeds. And the prophets are dead also; but their words survived them, and overtook the sinners against whom they were denounced; and this in so evident a manner, that when the threatened judgments came, too late to be prevented, their forefathers, in a miserable captivity, felt that righteous vengeance which they would not believe till it took hold upon them. Note; (1.) The example of parents is no plea for following their ways, when contrary to God’s word. (2.) We should often think of those who are gone before; where are they? gone into bliss or misery eternal, and we are hastening after them: whither then are we going? (3.) God’s ministers are dying men; we should improve the season, during which they are spared to labour among us: whilst each of them, considering their own mortality, should speak as a dying man to dying men; and deliver at least their own souls. (4.) Though the denunciations of wrath do not immediately take place against the sinner, being in much patience delayed, yet, if he persist in impenitence, they will take hold of him at last; and too late, in the belly of hell, he will feel that wrath from which he would not be persuaded to flee.
2nd, The vision recorded Zec 1:7, &c. was given to the prophet about three months after the former discourse was delivered, and is designed for the encouragement of the people who had turned unto God, and diligently employed themselves in rebuilding his holy temple. We have,
1. The vision. The grove of myrtles in the bottom fitly represented the state of the Jewish church, sunk very low in the deep gloom of afflictions and want, and surrounded by the hills of the neighbouring nations, far greater than they. It may signify also the church militant in general, which through much tribulation enters into the kingdom of God; the members of which, though low, are closely united, and their graces breathe fragrance before God. In the midst of them Jesus appears, become man for us men and for our salvation, and going forth to fight our battles, conquering and to conquer, and riding upon a red horse as the captain of salvation, who by his own blood will save his faithful people, and by his power treads down his enemies, till their blood reaches to the horses’ bridles, Rev 14:20. Behind him stood marshalled the armies of heaven, his ministering spirits, on horses of different colours, according to the various services in which they are employed, for judgment or for mercy.*
* As so many commentators have given this sense to the present passage, and as their interpretation is perfectly consistent with the analogy of faith, I have therefore presented my readers with it: but see the critical notes.
2. The prophet, filled with admiration at what he beheld, presumes with deep respect to ask, O my Lord, what are these? And the angel, he that is the head of all principalities and powers, even the man that stood among the myrtle-trees, is graciously pleased to inform him. These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth, to execute his commands, and minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. So kind and condescending is Jesus to the humble inquirers after divine knowledge, who cry, What I know not teach thou me: these he will guide into all truth.
3. He hears the report which these ministering spirits make to their King and Lord. They had discharged their commission, and report, that the earth sitteth still, and is at rest, undisturbed by wars, as was the case in the reign of Darius; secure and at ease, while the poor people of God are under affliction and perpetual alarms. Thus still a careless world sleeps on: but they will shortly be fearfully roused from this fatal lethargy.
4. The angel, the Lord Jesus, hereupon becomes an advocate for his penitent returning people, and cries for mercy now at last upon them, after the long time that God hath afflicted them, during seventy years; which, if computed from the burning of the temple, were just now completed: so long had they suffered the marks of God’s indignation; and now he begs that he will say, It is enough. It is well for the church that believers have such an Advocate with the Father: and in all times of trouble we should remember this for our support.
5. An answer of peace is given to the Saviour’s prayer. The Lord answered the angel with good words, and comfortable words; for, him the Father heareth always.
6. He communicates this answer to the prophet, to be proclaimed to his believing people for their comfort and encouragement. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy: on fire to repair their wrongs, and zealous to promote their happiness. Their enemies, who now sit at ease, are the objects of his wrath: he sent them to correct his people in a little displeasure, and they helped forward the affliction, exceeding their orders in cruelty and inhumanity, and insulted over the miseries of their unhappy captives: but God will avenge their quarrel. Whilst on the other hand the prophet must proclaim aloud, Thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: the temple shall be built, Jerusalem be raised from its ruins, and plenty and prosperity once more dwell in the cities of Judah. And the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, after the days of her mourning; and shall yet choose Jerusalem for his blest abode: which was literally fulfilled in the days of Zerubbabel and of the Maccabees; but most eminently when the Messiah appeared in the midst of her, and his Gospel went forth through all the cities of the land.
3rdly, We have a second vision to the same purpose as the former, comforting the people of Israel against their mighty foes.
1. The prophet saw four horns, and, asking an explanation of them, is informed, that these are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem; the various nations that at different times harassed and dispersed them, so that no man did lift up his head; so oppressed and dispirited they were, and brought so low. Some refer these horns to the Samaritans, Arabians, Ammonites, and Philistines, who gave them such hindrances in the building of the temple and city. And all who set about this blessed work may expect to be pushed at by many a horn. But see the critical notes.
2. The Lord shewed him four carpenters. These he had not seen. Our fears of danger so engage us, that we often overlook the help provided for us. And he tells him what these came to do, to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles. And these may be interpreted of the several monarchies which have risen up to destroy each other; or of the angels whom God sends to execute his judgments; or of the four great promoters of God’s work, Zerubbabel, Joshua, Ezra, and Nehemiah; and perhaps of the ministers of the Gospel, who go forth and are strengthened for carrying on the work of God in the midst of all opposition. Note; Whatever enemies are against us, we have greater friends for us: and, though sore thrust at that we may fall, in the Lord is our help, who will break all the horns of the ungodly.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
“And the LORD showed me four carpenters. (21) Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.”
It is possible, (though here again I only venture to enquire, not to decide,) by these four carpenters, may be intended, in a special allusion, the four Evangelists, whose doctrines of the person, work, and ministry, of the Lord Jesus, might in this figurative way, be said to hew down the enemies of the Church. But, as we are certainly not taught to consider any specific number in the literal sense of the word, but only as a certain quantity mentioned to imply the certainty of the thing itself; no more than in the parable of the virgins, because five were wise, and five foolish, we are to conclude the happy and the miserable will be equal in the great day of account; so I humbly conceive, that the vision is here intended to show, by four horns, the enemies of Christ, and by the four carpenters, the friends of Christ. Of what number soever each are, be they many, or be they few, the Lord showed the Prophet the sure end of the blessings that must take place in his Church and kingdom. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, and his servants are commissioned in the use of it for the comfort of his people, and the destruction of his foes. I have hewed them by the Prophets, saith the Lord, and I have slain them by the words of my mouth. Hos 6:5 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Zec 1:20 And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.
Ver. 20. And the Lord showed me four carpenters ] He that before was called an angel is here called Jehovah, this shows him to be Christ, who is God blessed for ever. In respect of his eternal essence he is called the Lord; in respect of his office or mediatorship, an angel.
Four carpenters
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
shewed me. This is part of the second vision,
carpenters = (iron)smiths.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
And the Lord
The word charash, trans. “carpenter,” is lit. carver, engraver. Zec 1:21 makes it plain that, whatever the four carvers may be, they are used to “fray,” or carve away (Heb. charad) in the sense of diminishing, enfeebling, the great Gentile world-powers. They may stand for Jehovah’s “four sore judgments,” the sword, famine, evil beasts, and pestilence Eze 14:21 the four horses of Revelation 6.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
four: Zec 9:12-16, Zec 10:3-5, Zec 12:2-6, Deu 33:25, Jdg 11:16, Jdg 11:18, 1Sa 12:11, Neh 9:27, Isa 54:15-17, Oba 1:21, Mic 5:5, Mic 5:6, Mic 5:8, Mic 5:9
Reciprocal: 2Ki 8:10 – the Lord Psa 75:10 – All the horns Jer 24:1 – Lord Amo 7:1 – showed Zec 10:4 – of him came forth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
SPIRITUAL STRENGTH
And the Lord shewed me four carpenters.
Zec 1:20
Carpenters are very useful members of the community. Our text shows us that there is a place for him, and a very important place, too. Happy for us that God has His carpenters, or we should fare but badly in our spiritual conflicts.
Let us think a little about these mysterious workmen, and notice that
I. Gods carpenters are needed.How great the need of them was and is the imagery of the vision will show. There was something else besides carpenters to be seen in it. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns (Zec 1:18). What are the horns? Well, they are not friendly, that is certain. Let us look at these enemies more closely, and inquire, first, as to
Their source. The horns the prophet saw were four in number. Some suppose that there is a reference here to the four great world-powers which successively oppressed the Jewish people.
Certainly the sources of the Churchs woe are manifold and varied. It is not difficult to name four horns which rend and tear the Church in every age. What shall we say to sin, Satan, the world, and death? Are not these universal foes?
Sin! What a foe it is to peace; unforgiven sin! And indwelling sinthe flesh with its affections and lustsis not this a horn?
Close upon the heels of sin comes Satan. It is still true that the dragon is wroth with the woman, and goes forth to make war with the residue of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev 12:17).
Then there is the opposition of the World. Marvel not, my brethren, said the Apostle, if the world hate you (1Jn 3:13). If the world hate you, said the Master, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you (St. Joh 15:18). If you have never experienced the hatred of the world, you have good reason to question whether you are a servant of Christ at all.
It is quite true that you cant put down certain things in a ring fence, and say that everything outside that fence is worldly. Some people do, forgetting that worldliness is really life apart from God, and that, therefore, it can follow us, like the atmosphere, anywhere. Yet it remains true that pleasures and pursuits in which God seems out of place, form no inconsiderable part of that world which you and I are pledged to overcome.
Be on your guard against it, for it is a horn indeed; a pushing, powerful, and yet subtle, unconscious influence.
Lastly, there is Death! Yes, Death! What a horn is Death! In our last chapter we dwelt a little on his power. We must be delivered from him, or we shall be all our lifetime subject to bondage.
But now to turn for a moment from the sources of this opposition to its general
Character. The opposition to the Church of Christ has some characteristics which never change. The horns are always pushing, proud, powerful, persecuting, but in other respects how widely do they differ!
There is the horn of ritualism, with its sacerdotal claims, and its dishonour to the one Sacrifice of Calvary.
There is the horn of rationalism, undermining the veracity of Scripture, and casting contempt on our Lords own testimony concerning it.
There is the horn of materialism, which refuses to admit the supernatural, and bids its votaries live for the pleasures and pursuits of the passing hour. Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.
There are the horns of animalism and profligacy, daring to say, Evil, be thou my good; and, like Goliath of old, defying Gods Israel to their face. Here are different forms of evil; but the spirit which actuates them is the same.
But now as to the effect of all this opposition. How far did the horns prevail? No man did lift up his head. So it has often been since. The history of the Church, and of the individual Christian, furnishes ample illustrations of just such straits. Again and again it has seemed as if the powers of evil must prevail. But the fortunes of the Church are modelled upon those of her Founder. The path to victory lies through seeming defeat. Out of death comes life. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him (Isa 59:19).
II. Gods carpenters are provided.The Lord shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What come these to do? And He spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over Judah to scatter it (Zec 1:21).
Four carpenters. What shall we say of them? First, that the help which God provides is suitable. These men were skilled workmen. They knew how to deal with horns. No doubt they had their tools with them. They brought their saws, and axes, and hammers, and would soon shear off the horns.
Depend upon it, when God wants to fray a horn He knows where to find a carpenter. Gods instruments are suitable instruments, they are perfectly adapted for the work they have to do. God makes no mistakes. He never puts square pegs into round holes. He knows how to prepare the man for the work, and the work for the man.
But again, we learn from the story that Gods help is seasonable. These carpenters made their appearance just at the right moment. Their arrival was most opportune. Gods help always is. It is often late, but never too late. Finally, I observe that Gods help is sufficient. There were four carpenters, one for each horn.
God forgets nothing and omits nothing. His work is perfect. He does not send three carpenters to hammer four horns; He does not give you grace for six trials and then fail you in the seventh. He does not strengthen you against one temptation, and then leave you in the lurch to shift for yourself with another. Not so. Christ is a perfect Saviour. Carpenters, did we say? Why, is not this the Carpenter? Is not Christ the Alpha and the Omega, and His peoples salvation? Is He not made to us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption? Certainly He is; and there is nothing too hard for Him. And note, it is by the Cross He saves. Here is His axe and His hammer and His saw. No wound hath the soul that His blood cannot cure.
It is by His Cross that He frays the horns. It is by the Cross the enmity of the natural heart is slain (Rom 6:6). It is by the Cross the world is overcome (Gal 6:14). It is by the Cross the prince of this world is cast out (St. Joh 12:31). By this we conquer. Yes, there is a carpenter for every horn.
There is one thing more. The Lord shewed me four carpenters.
III. Gods carpenters must be revealed.How was it that the prophet did not see them earlier? How is it that we so often do not see them? It is not because they are not there; it is because our eyes are dull of vision. What must we do if we are to behold the Divine resources? What did the prophet do? Then lifted I up mine eyes.
Elevation. That is the first step. Lift up your eyes. It is useless to cast them on the ground. From whence should my help come? Why, from Him Who made the hills, and Who keepeth truth for ever. Lift up your eyes, and if there is no help for you on earth, perhaps you will see it in heaven. I lifted up mine eyes and looked.
Contemplation. That is the second condition. Not a careless, heedless glance, but a steady, serious gaze. It is not enough to take a hurried peep into the heavenly mirror; you must give time and prayer, you must stoop downdown on your knees to look, and you shall not look in vain.
Illumination. This was the third point. He will show you things to come. He showed the prophet the carpenters. They were there before, but his eyes were holden that he could not see them. It is illumination we want. The eyes of our understanding must be enlightened, or we shall never know what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe.
Then there will be but one thing more. It is interpretation. The God Who reveals must decipher the mysteries He unfolds. It is not enough to have a vision; we must, like Daniel, and our prophet here, and Peter, in the house of Cornelius, in later days, be made to understand the vision, otherwise we shall miss the way after all. He Who speaks must interpret His message to our hearts, and then we shall not listen in vain.
Rev. E. W. Moore.
Illustration
Oh, child of God! There have been many horns which have scattered thee. Year after year they have wrought sad havoc in thy plans, and cost thee bitter tears. But thine Almighty Friend is very displeased with them that they have wrought so great a disaster, more than was necessary, and now they shall be frayed. When discipline has fulfilled its purpose, it is stayed; when the refining fire has purged out the dross, the smith no longer blows it with the bellows; when the winnowing fan has ridden the wheat of the chaff, there is no need to winnow it further against the evening breeze. Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and say unto her that her warfare is accomplished, her iniquity pardoned, for she hath received of the Lords hand double for all her sins.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Zec 1:20. Carpenters is from CHARAS n which Strong defines, “A fabricator of any material.” The word has a wide range at meanIng and this place is used in reference to some forces that were to erect something in the place of these four horns that had scattered Judah. for they were to be destroyed and replaced by the carpenters’ work.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1:20 And the LORD showed me four {s} craftsmen.
(s) These craftsmen or smiths are God’s instruments, who with their mallets and hammers break these hard and strong horns which would overthrow the Church, and declare that no enemies’ horn is so strong, but God has a hammer to break it in pieces.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Then the Lord showed Zechariah four smiths (Heb. harashim, lit. workers in metal, craftsmen). Either the Lord Himself pointed them out or the Lord did so through Zechariah’s guiding angel.