Heavenly messengers return from a worldwide patrol, bringing news of a world resting in absolute silence. This global calm carries heavy implications for both the great empires and God's people. The speakers delivering this report are horses, representing God's messengers returning from their global inspection [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. They are responding to an unspoken question from God's angel, who wants to know what they have accomplished on earth [מצודת דוד]. This angel is a high-ranking heavenly prince [אבן עזרא] tasked with watching over and protecting the Israelites [מלבי״ם]. He stands among myrtle trees, which symbolize the righteous people of that generation [מלבי״ם]. These trees grow in the deep, a detail hinting at the land of Babylon where the nation's downfall took place [מצודת דוד].
The horses are more than just a heavenly force. Their speed and swift movement symbolize the rapid reign of major world empires, with their specific colors pointing to different nations. The red horses represent Babylon, as the color of gold has a reddish tint. The horses with mixed colors symbolize the dual empire of Media and Persia. Finally, the white horses represent the Greek empire, reflecting the customary white clothing worn by its people [מצודת דוד].
When the messengers report their movement across the earth, they do not mean a simple journey. Their travel signifies taking full control, inheriting the land, and seizing power across the globe [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. As a result of this absolute dominance, they report that the entire world is sitting in complete peace and rest [מצודת ציון]. Wars have ceased entirely, and no nation dares to enter battle or challenge the established ruling powers [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].
Beneath this global calm lies a profound tension. From one perspective, the quiet highlights a painful reality: the nations of the world sit securely, while the Israelites remain in sadness and exile. It is this sharp contrast that immediately moves the angel to cry out and beg God for mercy upon Jerusalem [רד״ק]. From another perspective, the global silence carries a comforting message. The end of international wars indicates that the ruling nations will not harm the Israelites during this period. Instead, the Israelites will be able to live peacefully under their protection, a situation that indeed occurred during the early days of Greek rule [מלבי״ם].