Zechariah 6:9-15 says...Bible reading week 33, day 5

Today's verses are Zechariah 6:9-15, which read,

v.9, 10 - The word of the LORD also came to me, saying, "Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah; and you go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon."

Here is an order from God to take up an offering and it is from the exiles who are in Babylon.  I am assuming this offering is going to help fund the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.  This is an offering that is going out from the people of God to another place for the ministry that is going to be happening there.  It is an offering of preparation and an offering of anticipation of what is going to come back to the Promise Land, not just the physical temple but also the spiritual rebuilding of following after the true God in the midst of land of many gods.

v.11, 12 - "Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.  Then say to him, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD."

This is getting very interesting.  Someone is introduced who is called Branch.  Joshua is set up as the high priest, the religious leader, of the people of God.  But this high priest religious leader is told of another religious leader who is coming from where He is and to set up another temple of the Lord.  God sent His Son from where He was at and He would set up a kingdom not made of silver and gold but of souls of those who are called by God.  This one called Branch would build this new temple, would come from somewhere else, and would be referred to in chapter 3 verse 8 as a servant.  All of this language are descriptors that point to of Jesus.  Verse 13 continues on with...

v.13 - "Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne.  Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices."

This One called Branch will build the temple and will also sit on the throne.  He will be both priest and king.  He is also one who makes peace between this merger of offices.  Someone is able to be prophet, priest, and king all at the same time.

v.14, 15 - "Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the LORD to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah.  Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the LORD."  Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.  And it will take place if you completely obey the LORD your God.

So this crown made of silver and gold that is put on the head of Joshua, the high priest at the time, is a reminder of another high priest called Branch that is coming The coming high priest will have these 8 things.

  1. He will come from Israel.
  2. He will build a future temple.
  3. He will be glorious.
  4. He will be king and priest.
  5. He makes peace.
  6. He opens the kingdom to the Gentiles. (far off)
  7. He will fulfill God's words spoken here.
  8. He demands obedience.
This chapter ends with that "if" statement.  The people of God will see this happen "if" they completely obey God.  They are calling God, "their" God.  They put all of their allegiance on Him.  All of these night visions of Zechariah, 8 of them, are calling the people of God back to single focus on Him.  

Let's apply this today.  We need a zeroed in focus on God.  We need to hold to what His word says about a "have come" Messiah coming again.  We need to obey Him through His word and be living in a way that glorifies this One who is coming again from heaven.  He is going to set up another kingdom.  It will be glorious and He will be even the very light of heaven.  It will be a place of ultimate peace and those who reside there will be those from every tribe and nation whose names are in the Lamb's Book of Life.  His word says so and therefore we need to be people of God who live lives of obedience to Him.  Does this describe us?  Let us pray.

"Lord, thank You for giving us such vivid pictures of You in the Old Testament.  You prophecy through Your prophets of Your first coming and Your second coming.  May we follow what was said to the Israelites of old and be obedient to You as our God.  May we eliminate anything or put in proper perspective anyone who has taken Your rightful place in our lives.  Amen."

Pastor Adam


A simple man serving a great God and the local pastor of Stillwater Community Chapel (stillwater-chapel.org). We are in our 38th year of full time ministry. God directed us to this local body of believers on the Western Range of the Rockies to grow with them in mission and mindedness of Christ.

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