A. Vision One: Yahweh’s Patrol Reports False Security (1:7-17)

This opening vision involves a series of exchanges between the prophet, an angelic horseman, the interpreting angel (“the angel who was talking with me,” v.9), and Yahweh. The ravine was probably the Kidron Valley on the outskirts of Jerusalem. The vision contains seven instances of direct speech in characteristically Hebraic fashion (Meyers and Meyers, 129-30), climaxing in the last (vv.14-17), in which Yahweh’s intentions are announced. The rider of the red horse (v.8) is to be identified with the angel of the Lord standing among the myrtle trees (v.11). He and his patrol of horses have been commissioned to patrol the earth on Yahweh’s behalf. This reflects the practice of Persian monarchs who used equestrian reconnaissance teams to keep them informed about matters of the empire. In Zechariah’s vision, Yahweh’s emissaries appear to have completed their task, and they wait to be dismissed. They report that the world is at rest and in peace, a condition that Yahweh condemns as false security (v.15).

The message of this first vision was a powerful word of encouragement to the Jewish expatriates who had returned to Jerusalem to find it in ruins. After twenty years (539-519 b.c.), the temple was still not rebuilt and the city was in shambles. At the same time, the rest of the world was enjoying relative peace and security, even though enforced by the strength of Persia. This injustice prompts the question in v.12. Yahweh’s comforting answer (v.13) is related to the prophet in the final address (vv.14-17). The central theme is that God’s wrath (qeṣep̄, cf. v.2) has now been lifted from Judah and directed toward her enemies (v.15). Buttressing this theme is the emphasis on Yahweh’s omniscience. Like the Persian equestrian teams that kept the monarchs apprised of all significant happenings, Yahweh is fully aware of the world’s empires, and he is about to act on behalf of his people. The interpreting angel concludes the message of this first vision with the threefold promise of prosperity, consolidation, and election (v.17).