POWER UNDER CONTROL
Opening Prayer
Thank You, God, that “You do not treat us as our sins deserve…” (Psalm 103:10).
Read Zechariah 6:9–15
A Crown for Joshua
9 The word of the Lord came to me: 10 “Take silver and gold from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon. Go the same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. 11 Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jozadak.[a] 12 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. 13 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[b] will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’ 14 The crown will be given to Heldai,[c] Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen[d] son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the Lord. 15 Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God.”
Footnotes:
a Zechariah 6:11 Hebrew Jehozadak, a variant of Jozadak
b Zechariah 6:13 Or there
c Zechariah 6:14 Syriac; Hebrew Helem
d Zechariah 6:14 Or and the gracious one, the
New International Version (NIV)
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Reflect
Do you see Jesus as your King and your Priest?When the Israelites escaped from Egypt they “stripped the Egyptians of their wealth” (Exodus 12:36, NLT). When Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah return from Babylon they bring silver and gold back to Jerusalem (10), a further token of God’s favor to his people. The precious metals are used in an almost unheard-of act of coronation: a high priest is to be crowned king, challenging our idea that it’s safer if power does not reside in just one role. That concerns us because we know the human tendency to abuse ultimate power. The Lord uses his power to build a temple to which “people from distant lands” (15, CEV) can come and find a place. Reconciled, they participate in the building of the Lord’s house (15). This is us, called from afar, forgiven by sacrifice, protected by the King, sharing in building the kingdom. It’s also what we long to see multiply.
The coronation is a prophetic act, showing what God will do in uniting the roles of king and priest (11–13). Joshua is an early example of that. Before this there was another priest/king, Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17–24; Hebrews 6:20 – 7:28). Jesus follows in his line – an eternal, indestructible, pure and unblemished king and priest (13).
Apply
In a world suspicious of power, whom could you tell about a God whose power is driven by love? Most other world religions do not believe in a God who loves His people – we have such a hope to offer!
Closing prayer
I worship You, my Priest and King. I am so thankful that You are trustworthy and full of love for me.
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