June 13, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“During the night I had a vision, and there before me was a man mounted on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.” (Zechariah 1.8)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Have you ever been accused of “seeing red”? In almost all scenarios “seeing red” designates anger, hostility and usually an accompanied violence. We all have seen the physiological changes which occur when we or someone else gets angry: red eyes and flushed skin. Even in scary movies, those who are evil or possessed by violent thoughts and feelings are portrayed with red eyes. Even the vision portrayed by artist and story tellers portray the Devil as dressed in Red. In the Revelation given to John the Elder, the red horse signifies war, judgment and hostility. (see Rev. 6.2) But is this the vision and reality of the “man riding on a red horse in the myrtle grove”?

By the demeanor of the man of God, the angel of the Lord, we might find ourselves in conflict with that interpretation. Following that descriptor of the encounter, we are told that there are other horsemen riding on red, brown/spotted and white horses. It would seem there is a distinction being made between the “director” of the encounter and those being directed. There is, of course, the reality of which we have already considered concerning the quest for truth: what is the state of the union which King Darius has created. There is no assumption about it although I have no doubt the answer is already known by “the man” since he is from God. For the sake of Zechariah and those who will receive the report of the revelation prophecy, a physical manifestation (the semblance thereof) allows for the truth to be more visible. Knowing that there is a sense of peace throughout the land is not the same as knowing what real peace is and that it is what exists. We know from the continuing dialogue that authentic peace does not exist because Israel is in apathetic disarray. This does not mean that the people do not care. It does lend itself to the meaning of not acting out on their feelings of despair, disappointment, angst and longing for a rebuilt Temple, a renewed monarchy and a place of promise and protection which comes from the Lord God Almighty. It would seem that their fear of humanity outweighs and overtakes “the fear of the Lord” which is their salvation. It is the angst which David speaks of in Psalm 27. It is a fear that reverberates in the world today, especially in the Church. Sure, in the sanctity of our homes and prayer closets we may lament. In the company of family and friends at the dinner table or on our porches with drinks in hand, we may make commentary with brave talk. But when does the talk and the walk unite in a witness confronting the world?

Having said that, it is prudent to consider that in the calm of that knowledge the “red” rider is at peace knowing what the mission objective will be. That “man of God” may be the symbolizing of judgment, wrath and war against evil, the spirit of evil and all its fruits. I believe this is more the case and it leads me to consider that “the man of God, the angel of the Lord” is the Messiah, the spiritual Son of God. Already it is being presented to the prophets as it is to Zechariah concerning the events which must occur to save God’s people from certain eternal death. This salvation effort on the part of God through the Messiah is also a powerful witness and testimony to the rest of the world as to their future. We could easily insert at this point concerning the testimony of faith in the Messiah of God, the Christ of the world, His words to the disciples in the upper room at Passover when He said, “I AM the way, the truth and the life; there is no other means by which heaven can be gained.” (John 14.6) Further, He is the only means by which a person could stand before God and not lose his life. For the believer, the two (Christ and the person) stand united as one just as the Father and Son are one. This is possible only because of the shedding of the “blood of the Lamb who was slain” offered as the perfect, last and sustaining sacrifice for all who would believe and receive. It is my reading of this that leads me to believe the “red rider in the myrtle woods” is the Christ of God. Stained already with the blood of sin and redemption, He alone can execute perfect justice and institute perfect peace.

We shall speak of the rest of the horses next week. Tomorrow I will reflect on the geography presented as it, too, carries prophetic meaning. Until then, shalom.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit brought us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.