God’s rule over the earth: Zechariah 6.1–15 (Day 353)

Pray

Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.

Read

2 Chronicles 22–23 Revelation 10 Zechariah 6 John 9

Daily reflection: Zechariah 6

These are the last of Zechariah's visions. He sees chariots representing the four winds, pulled by different coloured horses. Chariots in the ancient world were the epitome of military power – fast, mobile and capable of delivering crushing blows against infantry. This vision asserts God's rule over all the earth, even Babylonia (verse 8).

But what about the command to crown Joshua, the High Priest? Zerubbabel the governor has dropped out of the picture, for reasons we don't know, but the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of the nation will continue. Verses 12 and 13 aren't easy to translate, and English versions vary. But what's clear is that the spiritual, priestly authority and the governing, ruling authority are united harmoniously, unlike in Israel's past where kings and priests were separate.

This doesn't provide a template for how nations are to be governed today. The relationship between religion and the state is very complex, and varies between nations. But this vision continues the theme of God's rule being universal. Believers don't have the luxury of retreating into holy huddles: we're to be active and involved in the life of our society. Ideally, Church and state will 'work together in peace and harmony' (verse 13), not as the Church's right to be claimed but as a privilege to be earned. Christians might also see in these verses a foreshadowing of Christ, the prophet, priest and king, and his coming lordship over all the earth.

Pray

God, give me a vision of your universal rule. Help me to play my part in making the world more like the place you want it to be.