Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were four horns. And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” So he answered me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen. And I said, “What are these coming to do?” So he said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it. (Zechariah 1:18-21 NKJV)
I have previously looked at this scripture only in terms of spiritual powers that hinder God’s people from prospering and God-sent helpers that come to rescue the oppressed. Looking further however, I see that the horns and carpenters should be viewed with wider lens to help one determine who one is. In this exhortation I would ask you to examine yourself and see whether your actions resemble those of the horns or the carpenters.
Horn are hindering powers, influences and mindsets that prevent God’s children from excelling in life. Example of such are:
- Oppressive powers; beasts, animals; Principalities and powers of darkness in high places (Eph 6:12), but thank God who makes a public show of those power for the sake of His children (Col.2:12). God can destroy these powers because He has authority over them (Col 1:16).
- Hostility to God’s people; powers that make Christians become prayerless (even though our prayers could have availed for us – James 5:16-18; Jer 33:3), and influences that make people become disobedient to God without knowing it.
- Laws (family, traditional, civic, etc) that prevent people from serving God (as in the case of Daniel being prevented from praying to his God) – Dan 6:6-8
- Hopelessness and sicknesses that show up when one is about to move forward in life. Thank God who promises to bring back healing and abundance of peace (Jer. 33:6)
- The mindset that tells us that our sins are beyond forgiveness, even though God promises to pardon us (Jer 33:8).
- Lack of money and all that are needed to survive or live a good life
- Attitudes and people that break marriages and godly relationship / harmony
- Taskmasters who increase one’s task just when one is about to get promoted and break free into another level.
These and others are the representatives of the horns that keep God’s people from upliftment, but God is able to lift you up. In this scripture I notice that for every horn there is a carpenter. Therefore, for every problem you may be facing, there is a solution. Just make sure you are not the horn.
Carpenters (craftsmen): Carpenters represent
- People who help the oppressed;
- People who remove burdens from others
- People who defend the cause of less privileged,
- Builders; restorers of godliness
- Skillful and wise people (craftsmen).
- People who pray for others
Looking at what horns and carpenters represent, the question to be asked is, “which one are you?”
To God be the glory, God has prepared at least one carpenter against each horn that rises.
Be a carpenter, the person who allows God to use him / her for goodness and liberation. It does not matter how many horns are raised against God’s people, we always have a helper in Christ Jesus who sends help. Our help is in the Lord. All horns shall be lifted and uprooted in Jesus name.
Let the church have faith in God, expecting Him to send His carpenters to help remove the havoc which horns have done. Let each Christian know that you have a friend in Jesus who will not allow horns to oppress you forever. Hallelujah. I see Jesus sending His carpenters who will help you scatter the horns that have kept you down. Hallelujah.
When you see problems (horns), may your eyes be opened to see solutions (carpenters) – that you may know that your life will not end up in frustration, but in wholeness and victory.