The man whose name is the Branch

The man whose name is the Branch

Scripture: When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth. And he said, “Go throughout the earth!” So they went throughout the earth. Then he called to me, “Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north.” Zechariah 6:7-8

Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’ The crown will be given to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the Lord. Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that theLord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God.” Zechariah 6:!2-15

Observation: In the first Scripture, we see the vision of the four winds of heaven in the image of chariots with horses going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world. We see that these horses are powerful, and they have a strong compulsion to go throughout the earth. The winds are symbolic of the Holy Spirit that goes throughout all the earth, north, south, east and west to do God's will. The Lord is the Lord of the whole world. He holds everything and all history in His hands.

It was then written that those going towards the north country had given His Spirit rest. This could be in reference to the demise of the Babylonian empire resulting in a temporary reprief from concentrated wickedness that had been rife in that land. The lesson for us is that there are times of concentrated activity in our Christian lives for the Lord's work, and there are also times of rest where we can rest in the Lord's presence and grow quietly in Him.

In the second Scripture, the Lord instructs Zechariah to take silver and gold from some of the exiles who have arrived from Babylon and make a crown for Joshua son of Jozadak, effectively appointing him as King. He is given the name “Branch” or “Sprout”, and called to build the temple of the Lord and later to sit on the throne in majesty. Interestingly, Joshua will also be priest on the throne. The last time the priest and king of Jerusalem was one can be found in Genesis in Melchizedek. This vision actually foreshadows our Lord Jesus as the coming Branch who would build His church and act as both King and Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

It was further written that those from far away would help build the temple of the Lord. This prophecy is a reference to the coming of Gentiles (non-Jews) to come and participate in building the Lord's church.

The Scripture ends that all these would happen if the people diligently obeyed the Word of the Lord. In the Complete Jewish Bible, it is described as “heeding carefully what Adonai your God says”. Obedience was tied in to this prophetic blessing and is a reminder to us of the importance of being obedient and paying careful attention to what the Lord says. How do we know what the Lord says to us? Mainly by reading and knowing His Word and having a close relationship with Him.

Application: Praise God that He is God of the whole earth and has control over every country and place everywhere. Thank Him for the times of rest as well as the times of busyness, leaning on the Father's love to spur us on. Meditate on Jesus as the Branch. He is the vine,we are the branches that are connected to Him, and we must remain in Him for Him to remain with us. Meditate on Jesus being both our Priest and our King. He is our Master and Ruler, yet also our mediator, coming to God on our behalf as our advocate and Savior. Seek to know and listen to God's voice with the desire to follow what He says.

Prayer: Praise You, Heavenly Father,for You hold all things in Your hands, even the whole earth and everything in it.Thank You, O Lord,for the times of rest, and the times of busyness and for being with me always. Praise You,Lord Jesus. You are the great Branch from which all of us derive our meaning and purpose and life. You are our Great King yet also our Great Priest,interceding for us even when we do not know it! Teach me O Lord to listen to Your voice that I may obey You. In Jesus name,Amen.