The answer is: Pair of scales

Rev 6:5

As we delve into Revelation, specifically the scene of the third seal, we encounter a striking vision. The rider on the black horse holds a pair of scales, a poignant image conveying the concept of measurement and balance in times of distress. Imagine that! During chaotic times, what lies behind the surface is magnified. Scales traditionally represent justice and fairness, but in this context, they symbolize scarcity and restraint.

In ancient marketplaces, scales were essential for trade. We can picture the dust of the ancient streets filled with farmers and merchants weighing their goods—each measurement not just setting a price but choosing how much abundance, or lack thereof, was to be shaped in people's lives. This harbinger enacts an era of economic struggle, highlighting inflation and deprivation.

Interestingly, the black horse often echoes the dire predictions and struggles seen both in the Old and New Testaments. In Leviticus 26, for example, punishment is depicted through famines and poverty, showing the repercussions of straying from righteousness. Even the weighty constraints lifted back towards balance during the refinement process remind us of the broader biblical themes of justice reclaiming order amid chaos.

What an engaging tapestry we weave looking toward how these elements of measurement don't just dictate commerce but reflect the spiritual health of society! Amid trials and tribulations, scales can remind us to seek balance—not only in commodities but in mercy, love, and hope for redemption.