Zechariah 6: The Branch

​Key Verse
12 And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord
 
Meditation
God is doing something greater than you can see and He will accomplish His purposes in and through His people. “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion!” (Philippians 1:6). 
 
Zechariah’s eighth vision builds on what has gone before and connects us with what is to come. The different colored horses continues the first vision (1:8). The red horse carrying the Messianic figure stays in the north country (where the woman of wickedness resides! 2:6-7) while the black and white horses patrol the earth on a mission of redemption and judgment, blessing and cursing.
 
The horses are sent from the throne of God (v. 5) and the Spirit of God rests, saturating the earth (v. 8). God is in total control, accomplishing the work He has called his exiles to do (vv. 9-11). He who began the work of building the temple will bring it to completion.
 
The eight vision gives way to a sign-act where the crowning of Joshua points to the Branch, Jesus, the greater high priest (v.12) who will accomplish God’s work necessary for dwelling with His people. God will send the nations for participation in rebuilding the temple (v. 15) but the Branch (Jesus) will bear the brunt for building the greater temple (v. 13). The crown is for Christ the King (14) who accomplishes all God’s purposes.
 
The returned exiles would have been motivated to rebuild after hearing today’s reading, knowing God would accomplish His purposes through them! We too must look to the Branch for God’s purpose as we trust His sovereign rule. 
 
Today’s Reading
Again, I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains. And the mountains were mountains of bronze. 2 The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, 3 the third white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled horses—all of them strong. 4 Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 And the angel answered and said to me, “These are going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north country, the white ones go after them, and the dappled ones go toward the south country.” 7 When the strong horses came out, they were impatient to go and patrol the earth. And he said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. 8 Then he cried to me, “Behold, those who go toward the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country.”

The Crown and the Temple
9 And the word of the Lord came to me: 10 “Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go the same day to the house of Josiah, the son of Zephaniah. 11 Take from them silver and gold, and make a crown, and set it on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. 13 It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”’ 14 And the crown shall be in the temple of the Lord as a reminder to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.

15 “And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the Lord. And you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.”
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, eighter from the final vision or sign-act pointing to Jesus?
 
-How is it motivating, moving you into mission, to know God is faithful and will do what He has called His people to do, that He will be the One who fulfills the work?
 
-Jesus ultimately finishes and fulfills all God’s holy will and grace allows us to gaze on Him. How can you fix your eyes on Jesus as you hope in God’s sovereign grace to empower you to finish the race?
 
Key Verse
12 And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord