61 And again lifting up my eyes I saw four war-carriages coming out from between the two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. 2 In the first war-carriage were red horses; and in the second, black horses; 3 And in the third, white horses; and in the fourth, horses of mixed colour. 4 And I made answer and said to the angel who was talking to me, What are these, my lord? 5 And the angel, answering, said to me, These go out to the four winds of heaven from their place before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The carriage in which are the black horses goes in the direction of the north country; the white go to the west; and those of mixed colour go in the direction of the south country. 7 And the red ones go to the east; and they made request that they might go up and down through the earth: and he said, Go up and down through the earth. So they went up and down through the earth. 8 Then crying out to me, he said, See, those who are going to the north country have given rest to the spirit of the Lord in the north country.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Zechariah 6:1-8
Commentary on Zechariah 6:1-8
(Read Zechariah 6:1-8)
This vision may represent the ways of Providence in the government of this lower world. Whatever the providences of God about us are, as to public or private affairs, we should see them all as coming from between the mountains of brass, the immoveable counsels and decrees of God; and therefore reckon it as much our folly to quarrel with them, as it is our duty to submit to them. His providences move swiftly and strongly as chariots, but all are directed and governed by his infinite wisdom and sovereign will. The red horses signify war and bloodshed. The black, signify the dismal consequences of war, famines, pestilences, and desolations. The white, signify the return of comfort, peace, and prosperity. The mixed colour, signify events of different complexions, a day of prosperity and a day of adversity. The angels go forth as messengers of God's counsels, and ministers of his justice and mercy. And the secret motions and impulses upon the spirits of men, by which the designs of Providence are carried on, are these four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from God, and fulfil what the God of the spirits of all flesh appoints. All the events which take place in the world spring from the unchangeable counsels of the Lord, which are formed in unerring wisdom, perfect justice, truth, and goodness; and from history it is found that events happened about the period when this vision was sent to the prophet, which seem referred to therein.