Zechariah 1:7

The first vision the angelic horsemen, 7-17.

Zechariah beholds “a man riding upon a red horse” standing among myrtle trees (7, 8); he is accompanied by other horsemen who report that they have “walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest” (9-11). Since a “shaking” of the nations must precede the establishment of the kingdom of God (Haggai 2:6-7; Haggai 2:21-22), the report meant that there was no sign of the approach of the Messianic era. This is a disappointment to the angel who receives the report, and he inquires of Jehovah, “how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah?” (12). To which Jehovah replies that, though the shaking may be delayed, his cities “shall yet overflow with prosperity; and Jehovah shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem” (13-17).

The vision, therefore, is a message of encouragement to the despondent people to retain faith in Jehovah, for he will surely fulfill the Messianic promises of the past.

Zechariah 1:7 gives the date of the vision.

Eleventh month Called Shebat (see R.V.); it corresponds to the latter part of January and the first part of February. The rest of Zechariah 1:7 is identical with Zechariah 1:1 (see there).