The book of Zechariah parallels the time of writing of the prophet Haggai whilst the rebuilding of the temple was in progress. Meanwhile Zerubbabel was the political leader and Joshua was the high priest.
Zechariah’s Vision of the Horns
This was the second of Zechariah’s visions and the consoling words from the previous vision, the vision of the horses , are continued. The vision of the horns contains a comforting message of how the surrounding nations that scattered Israel were to be dealt with.
The four horns correspond with the statue in Daniel Chapter 2 and the four beasts in Daniel Chapter 7, namely the Babylonian, Mede-Persian, Greek and Roman empires. The number four refers to the antagonism of nations from all directions against Israel.
It was evident that Yahweh would not tolerate the Gentile nations that were afflicting the Jewish people. "All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." (Psalm 75:10) The ten horns referred to in Revelation Chapter 17 that give their power and authority to the Beast shall be overcome by the Lamb. "And those who are with Him shall be called chosen and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)
The role of the four craftsmen or carpenters was to remove the horns that played their part in scattering Judah. The first craftsman is Yahweh’s instrument, "Cyrus whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him." (Isaiah 45:1) The role of Cyrus was prophesied before he was born. Cyrus was utilised by Yahweh to overthrow Babylon.
The Persian Empire regressed and worsened and was broken swiftly by Alexander the Great, portrayed as a male goat in Daniel Chapter 8. The Greek Empire then split into four and was usurped by the Romans. The Roman Empire would then be revived and struck by the Stone of Israel, Jesus the Messiah to set up His millennial kingdom.
The Role of the Four Carpenters
Finally, Jamiesson, Fausett and Brown in their commentary encapsulate the function of the four carpenters succinctly.
"The number four in Zechariah’s referred to the four cardinal points of the horizon. But the Spirit of God looked farther; namely to the four world powers, the only ones which were, or are to rise till the kingdom of the Messiah, the fifth, overthrows and absorbs all others in its universal dominion."
References
Jamieson, Fausett & Brown www.classicbiblecommentaries
Meyer, F.B. The Prophet of Hope Studies in Zechariah Ambassador Productions Ltd Belfast 1995
