What a joy it is to study this book slowly, repeatedly. When read quickly in one sitting, and then slowly while journaling, and then slower still over the course of many weeks, the Spirit teaches and highlights different things; all of it has been enjoyable. This portion is part of the vision begun in chapter 1, in the course of one night. Also remember, these vision are part of God’s comforting and gracious words given in response to a question of “how long, O LORD?”
Part of these chapters will address some near future events, much will point forward to the time of the Messiah, the Sent One. And a bit of it points beyond, to the time when He has finished making all things new, and we enjoy our true sabbath rest.
There is far too much to write about from these chapters, so I will share only a few highlights.
High Priest
3:1-7 Joshua points to Jeshua, Jesus, our Faithful High Priest; this is a section worth reading several times slowly. We have a scene here much like in Job, an accuser has entered the LORD’s court. Who is the accuser? The only accuser, Satan.
3:2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”
What God declares about Joshua, and Jerusalem, is worth taking to heart. God has chosen, and has plucked out of the fire–who can thwart His work or His plans? Certainly not a lowly accuser. At that time it was not easy to believe that God had chosen Jerusalem, if judging by outward appearances. And a priest in filthy garments, at a time when the whole priesthood had undergone judgement and had been banished from the temple for these 70 years? God is not done, and has chosen this priest to point toward our faithful High Priest. God is making a way for the people to draw near!
Read through Jude 8-9; Psalm 9:5f; the LORD’s vengeance will be in His timing, in the meantime, we let the LORD rebuke. How does Amos describe the LORD’s rebuke?
Access
Zech. 3:7- Ephesians and Hebrews both write of the access we have in Christ. In Christ, in Union with Christ. Like the priest here mentioned, we are given new clothes, we are clothed in Christ, in Christ’s righteousness, and are awaiting our new garments of white (as described in Revelation).
In the Law, the clothing of priests and the high priest were to be special, consecrated, and holy; this was important as a priest approached his duties, and especially as the high priest approached the holy of holies once per year. When Aaron’s sons sinned by offering strange fire, they were consumed for doing so. Aaron was told not to go near. If he had, he would no longer be in his holy garments, he could not approach God. Israel’s momentary mediator could not have intervened for them.
In the New Testament Church, we do not have only one earthly high priest, but the priesthood of all believers who have unfettered access to the throne of grace! We approach boldly in Christ, and confidently, in reverence and awe but not in terror, nor with a rope tied around our waist lest we approach incorrectly and be consumed.
Hope
3:8 is the first mention of the BRANCH! The Hebrew word is also “Sprout”. This is a small beginning in our eyes, a branch. A small branch when we might want to demand a mighty redwood of an emperor who takes over all the neighboring kingdoms and ushers in what we deem to be a suitable kingdom. Small to them was the rebuilding of what was once large and ornate, and now, is much less beautiful or breathtaking. Small to them is the remnant that is working, the beginnings of life as Israel yet within captivity still.
Do not despise the day of small things–4:10; Hag 2:3. The LORD of hosts is establishing the priesthood, and will use Zerubabbel (whose name means “seed of Babel”) to finish the rebuilding; though the Davidic line of kings has been broken yet it is promised that a Branch will arise. And it will obviously be of the LORD:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.
I’m getting ahead of myself, so returning to the end of chapter 3, notice this eschatalogical vision, similar to concepts in Isaiah 36:16, Micah 4:4, Jeremiah 8:13, Joel 1 and 2;
In that day, peace and joy and fellowship without any hint of fear or need for self preservation. This promise is sweet, comforting.
In the beginning of Solomon’s reign, hear this description of the peaceful life enjoyed by Israel:
1 Kings 4:25 “So Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.”
This vision of a time to again sitting under your own vine and tree, enjoying the fellowship of your neighbor, this is the longed for shalom of the people of God; this lulls Zechariah to sleep. The angel speaking with him returns to rouse him, and continues the night of visions.
Here in chapter 4 we see two anointed ones, and lampstands. When asked what these are, who these are, Zechariah hears that the lampstand represents the LORD’s presence, as indeed the lampstands in the tabernacle and temple have; a specific reminder that God is present with Zerubabbel in the rebuilding, that God will put the leader He has chosen into place to do the work He has established.
The lampstand has two anointed ones alongside (trees). In Revelation we see these same two anointed ones, and learn they they are Elijah and Moses–the law and the prophets–who bring rain, or water from the rock; the very same two who show up on the Mount of Transfiguration!
This is a beautiful thread of Scriptures to meditate on:
Zechariah 4:11-14; Revelation 11; Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9.
The Word Overtaking
Remember that phrase from early in chapter 1, the word of the prophets overtook their fathers? Here is a vision of God sending out His word in the form of a giant scroll, and it will overtake those under judgment; it will be as swift and efficacious as the judgement that came through the night of the first Passover. (see also Deuteronomy 29:27).
Then comes the basket being carried away by two winged women; they are carried along by the Spirit, this is a clear picture of the Providence of God. This woman who is ‘wickedness’ is put in her place, kept in by a lead weight, and removed from among His people to be in her own temple in Babylon. There is no place in the life of God’s people for tolerating wickedness, God does not want us to keep her around.
Cycles of Judgement
Reading Zechariah 6:1-8 alongside Revelation 6:1-8, you can appreciate the unchangeableness of God’s purposes. What was dimly seen by the prophets of old is a bit more clear in the visions given to John. Both passages follow the prophecy given to Moses; in Leviticus 26:18-28 you can trace out four judgments in seven punishments.
The call given in 6:9-15 is a return by obeying. Remember the 1:3 call to return? Injustice will be eradicated, and this brings the long awaited and promised renewal. The symbolism in this portion is closely linked to the message in Haggai–the people are wealthy, they keep adding to their dwellings and yet the Temple is neglected. They have plenty, and are told to bring some for a crown, this crown in the Temple will help everyone look forward to the day when the Branch comes!
“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.”
He will not be like those in Israel’s history, angry that others had the glory of an office while they had something other; think of the Levites who wanted to be priests, or the sons of Aaron who wanted to be the high priest, or all those who grumbled “aren’t we all holy? Why can’t we…?” Remember Saul who as king would not wait for Samuel but would offer the sacrifice?
This Branch, this Sent One, would have both offices, and bring peace. This is indeed something new for God’s people to look forward to!
Complete Obedience?
15 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.
Zechariah’s original audience continued to intermarry foreigners that drew their hearts into idolatry, continued to be selfish and full of injustice; what other sins do you think they struggled with (from your reading of Ezra)? What keeps us from the flourishing life of faith He has called us to? They could not completely obey, nor can we, or any generation of fallen humanity.
Hope! This verse is fulfilled in Christ; one of the many Paul refers to in 2 Cor 1:20 in the life of Christ (His perfect obedience on our behalf) and in God completing the work He has begun in us, we will experience this perfect glorification in heaven, in a community of all nations, who are now being built into a holy temple. Notice the people far off, and the temple in this passage:
Ephesians 2
15so that in Himself He might make the two [Jew and Gentile] into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far off, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Obedience is not possible for fallen mankind; any attempt of obedience to earn God’s favor is in vain. As God’s people, we imperfectly obey as the fruit of His work in us! Our obedience is from Him, through Him, and to His glory. Apart from Christ we can do nothing, but in Christ we are made fruitful. And remember at the close of Hosea: from Him comes our fruit. We are fruitful because He has redeemed us, adopted us, made us new, and given us a heart to know Him and to love what He loves!
photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash