A Branch

O. T. #2295  "A Branch"

Oct. 7, 2022

Zechariah 6-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

I have mentioned before about the old pecan tree that had to be cut down in our back yard. The stump was never dug up nor burnt. so this summer, I have been watering sprouts that shot up from it. There must be a dozen of them. It is precious to me, for this illustrates our Jesus who sprang up as a Branch from Jesse (David's father) in little Bethlehem, growing up in Nazareth, and ministering in Jerusalem and Israel, all small places. Read on to learn more about this Branch. (After all these years of studying the Word, it dawned on me that David was a shepherd boy living in the Bethlehem area, too. That is where to do the census and Jesus was born there..)

Previously, the Lord told Zechariah to take the gifts of gold and silver that 3 men brought from those Jews back in Babylon area and use it to make crowns. Then, He told the prophet to set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua. This was done in a coronation service. 

In verse 12, the prophet was told what to say, Thus speaketh the LORD of Hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch: and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the Temple of the LORD. 

Did you notice the phrase, behold the man, as a familiar one? those very words was used by Pontius Pilate in presenting Jesus to the multitude after He had been crowned with thorns. (John 19:5)

The Hebrew meaning of the word Branch (shibb'oleth) is an ear of grain (as growing out).

The Branch is symbolic of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ:

• He will appear as an antitype of Joshua. (verse 12a)
• He will grow out of His place, having a lowly origin, yet will grow into universal prominence. (Micah 5:2)
• He will build the Millennial Temple. (verses 12b-13a)
• He will bear the glory; it is His by virtue of the fact that He fulfilled every promise made to Abraham and Israel for His provision of righteousness and regeneration for Jew and Gentile alike. 
• He will be King-Priest. (verse 13c,d) One day He will be installed by the Father upon His own throne forever as King-Priest. (2 Sam. 7:8-16) Melchizedek was the only one with that roll. (Gen. 14:18)
• There is peace and harmony between Jehovah and Messiah, as far as the attributes, being one person in the Messiah with both offices.
• The Messiah will combine the Jew and Gentile together. (verse 15a)
• The Messiah will corroborate the truth of God's Word. (verse 15b)
• When Israel witnesses Gentiles brought into fellowship with and service of Jehovah, they will know that the LORD of Hosts sent the Messiah to them.

Tradition says that the crown was kept in the Temple until the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came to earth. It was then destroyed along with the Temple by the Romans in AD 70. The important thing was the crown to remind Israel of God's universal purpose to use Israel as the means to reach all the world. They lost sight of this. 

LET IT GROW

What is the last instruction mentioned in verse 15? The Messiah will demand absolute obedience. What a ministry and mission for Israel, yet they did not. Their failure will still be turned to obedience and blessing and benefit if they obey God. During the Millennial reign of Christ, Israel will acknowledge Him as the Savior, Messiah, The Branch.(Jeremiah 31:31-34)

It all depends on God, not on us. We fail so many times, but His grace forgives us and brings us back into the fold. 

LET IT GO

One day all the earth will shout Your praise, Jesus.

Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing, "Great are You, Lord Jesus!"