Year 2, Week 25, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 25, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Zechariah 5-7.

Today’s reading still has us stepping out of Ezra in order to look at some other readings that coincide with the historical material thus far covered in Ezra. Today’s reading continues in the Book of Zechariah. Like Haggai, Zechariah is a prophet whom the LORD raised up to stir up the returnees to resume the work of completing the Temple, but Zechariah is composed primarily of visions from the LORD. Zechariah 5 records the sixth and seventh visions, which each depict the LORD removing evil from the Land. The sixth vision is that of a flying scroll: “Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll!” (Zechariah 5:1); while the seventh vision is that of a woman with a basket: “And behold, the leaden cover was lifted, and there was a woman sitting in the basket!” (Zechariah 5:7). Zechariah 6 records an eighth vision, which is of four chariots with horses: “Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains” (Zechariah 6:1). The remainder of Zechariah 6 reports on the instructions given to Zechariah to put a crown on the head of Joshua, the High Priest: “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” (Zechariah 6:11). This action had future prophetic implications pointing to a future Messiah. Zechariah 7, which is dated about two years after the visions recorded in Zechariah 1-6, records an inquiry about fasting and mourning: “Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to entreat the favor of the LORD, saying to the priests of the house of the LORD of hosts and the prophets, “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?” (Zechariah 7:2-3). The full answer to this inquiry will not come till the end of Zechariah 8.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was how the crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, brought together the roles of priest and king: “‘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. 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” (Zechariah 6:12-13). During the exile, the Davidic line was removed from the throne and the crown was taken away: “But now you have cast off and rejected; you are full of wrath against your anointed. You have renounced the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown in the dust” (Psalm 89:38-39). The prophets declared this judgment: “As I live, declares the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet ring on my right hand, yet I would tear you off…Thus says the LORD: “Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah.” (Jeremiah 22:24-30).

But the prophets also declared that there will be a restoration of the Davidic line: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: The LORD is our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:5-6). Even though there would be a suspension, the promise to David of an everlasting reign was clear: “You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations’” (Psalm 89:3-4). Now that returnees are once again assembling in Jerusalem after the exile, Zechariah is revisiting the promises established to David and underscored to the prophets concerning the return of the Davidic line. Zechariah highlights a priestly aspect to the renewed Davidic line as Joshua, the High Priest is the one whom Zechariah crowns. And while the office of priest and king was essentially distinct in Israel, the notion of these roles would be combined in the future, as indicated: “The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:1-2,4). Zechariah depicts a merging of the office of priest and king in the future branch from the line of David.

The writer of Hebrews applies the combined roles of priest and king directly to Jesus, who does a Temple work that is beyond comparison: “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man” (Hebrews 8:1-2). The future Priest-King would draw to Himself, not only people from within Israel, but also the nations: “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” (Zechariah 6:15). Such promises served as part of the catalyst for obedience on the part of the returnees. 

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe