Lesson 3: Joshua Is Crowned High Priest

Scripture to Read: Zechariah 6:915

The prophet’s eight significant night visions are brought to a conclusion by the symbolic crowning of Joshua as Israel’s high priest. We might have expected a crown, as the symbol of rulership, to be placed on the head of Zerubbabel as the civic leader, not Joshua. But again, these are highly symbolic actions—indeed, after the crown was made and placed on Joshua, it was to be removed and placed in the Temple as a memorial of this event. Some Bible interpreters see this as representing the future crowning of Messiah, who as the King–Priest will unite these offices in His righteous rule.

In the midst of this ceremony we read of the coming of one known as “the Branch” who would build the Temple of the Lord (vv. 12–13). This seems to confirm that in this instance, Joshua was representative of a later figure, no doubt Messiah, who would rebuild the Temple (since in the future view the second Temple had already been destroyed) and reign in glorious splendor. The contributions of the nations for this future Temple are also prophesied, as they are in passages like Isaiah 60:5, 9. Thus we see the fact that when the Messianic age comes, Israel will once again be a blessing to the whole earth, and the third Temple will include places for all nations to come and worship.

Study Questions

• Why do you think the former Jewish exiles named in verse 10 brought silver and gold to the leaders in Jerusalem?
• Why was it important for God to remind the Jews that the nations will gladly contribute to the building of the future Temple?
• There is a condition attached to these blessings (v. 15). State it in your own words.

Something to Think About

As recipients of your steadfast support for The Fellowship in rescuing Jewish émigrés and helping the needy, the people of Israel and Jews around the world today are receiving a wonderful “foretaste” of the willing contributions that Gentiles will make for Israel’s blessing in the Messianic age! God bless you for your compassionate commitment.