Raise spiritual craftsmen against every wicked horn, oh, lord! – Part 2

Politically, a “horn” is used to represent a nation’s power. Jeremiah 48:25 says: “The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken,’ says the LORD.” For this reason, it is used prophetically in Scripture to represent an earthly nation, or the power of its force, or even the structure of its rule. In Daniel 7:7, the fourth beast in Daniel’s vision was shown to have “ten horns;” and another “horn” was shown to be “coming up among them” (v. 8). We’re told that the ten horns were “ten kings” (v. 24); and that the additional horn was another king, who would rise up among them. Similarly, in Daniel 8, the “ram” in his vision had “two horns” (v. 3)—which were the kings of Media and Persia (v. 20); and the “male goat” that trampled him had a “notable horn” (v. 5), which was the first king of Greece (v. 21)—which was broken off and replaced by four horns (v. 8), that is, the four kingdoms that would rise from him (v. 23). Similarly, in Revelation 17:3-12, ten horns are presented as ten kings.

We can take these four “horns” that Zechariah saw then, as symbolic representations of Gentile kingdoms, which exert their power upon others. At the time of the Prophet’s vision, these Gentile world powers were contemplated namely: Babylon, Kingdom of Media and Persia, Greece and Roman Empire. Unfortunately, their mission principally was to scatter the blessings of Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.

However, the Lord then showed him “four craftsmen” or “carpenters” or “smiths”—that are skilled workers in metal, wood or stone (v. 20). Their number seems to be intended to parallel the four “horns.” And because the “horns” are clearly figurative, these “craftsmen” should be taken as figurative as well. In answering the question—as if to give emphasis to the distress of God’s people — the interpreting angel speaks again of the horns and says, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head.” The craftsmen, then, are presented in the context of these four distressing “horns.” But that these are no ordinary craftsmen is clearly shown in the fact that they “terrify” and “cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it” (v. 21).

Therefore, in any coven, where horns are raised to make a proclamation with the aim of oppressing, attacking or destroying the destiny of people of God, it is my desire that God will raise spiritual craftsmen, who will help to terrify and cast away these horns. They should not be allowed to operate, because if they do, they will end up scattering and blowing away the blessing of God’s people. I know and trust God will disappoint evildoers, so they will not perform their wicked enterprise (Job 5:12). Thanks to His goodness, the Son of God has appeared: “that we may have life and that we may have it more abundantly,” (John 10:10b). Cheers!

Ven. Ernest Onuoha
Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.
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