THE EMPTY THRONE

The trumpet alerted the angels to come

To gather together before the White Throne
The Father announced a miraculous plan
That Jesus would take on the flesh of a man.

Amazement and wonder were seen in their eyes

A virgin would birth heaven's infinite Prize
The ones who were chosen to break the Good News
Appeared to some shepherds, the lowliest of Jews.

“All Glory to God!” was the theme of their song

Lasting peace, was the Gift awaited so long
Emanuel’s coming to Bethlehem's stall
Was God's only Son with salvation for all.

The shepherds and magi who worshiped this King

Saw Him as Messiah; their freedom He'd bring
The path from the stable was marked by a cross
They did not see then, how much it would cost!

While angels rejoiced at the birth of God's Son

Redemption for man through His death would be won
Each sinner partaking the Savior's new birth
Brings praise from the angels in heaven and earth.
B. Pent

ZECHARIAH 6:9-15 - THE CROWNING OF JOSHUA

THE HIGH PRIEST WITH A CROWN OF GOLD
DEFIES ALL LOGIC AS TO BOLD!
THERE WAS NO PRESCIENCE BEFORE
AND ISRAEL'S KING REIGNED THERE NO MORE.

SO WHY DO PRIEST AND KING COMBINE
IN THIS LAST ACT TO INTERTWINE?
THE PROPS WERE SET TO ILLUSTRATE
GOD'S SOVEREIGN CHOICE UNHEARD OF YET.

AS ZECHARIAH WALKS ON STAGE
THE LORD INVITES HIM TO ENGAGE
THE BAND OF POST EXILIC MEN
WITH GIFTS OF GOLD THE TEMPLE MEND.

GOD DRAWS A PICTURE OF THE TWO
THE HIGH PRIEST REPRESENTS THE JEW
THE KING IS CROWNED AS SOVEREIGN HEAD
OF BOTH THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.

THE CROWN ON JOSHUA WAS A SIGN
THE BRANCH FROM DAVID'S ROYAL LINE
WILL RULE THE WORLD FROM ZION'S HILL
AS KING OF KINGS VICTORIOUS STILL.
--B. PENT

THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. AS YOU COMPARE JOSHUA IN CHAPTER 3 WITH THIS CHAPTER, WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD WAS TRYING TO TEACH? WHAT SPIRITUAL LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM IT?
2. WHY WAS THE GOLD CROWN PLACED ON JOSHUA INSTEAD OF GOVERNOR ZERUBABBEL? WASN'T THIS A CONTRADICTION OF JEWISH LAW? EXPLAIN!
3. THE TEXT IS FURTHER WRAPPED IN MYSTERY BY STATING THAT HE WOULD BUILD THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD. EARLIER WE WERE TOLD THAT ZERUBABBEL WOULD DO IT (4:8-10)? HOW SHOULD WE RESOLVE THIS SEEMING CONTRADICTION?
4. VERSE 13 IDENTIFIES JOSHUA AS "THE BRANCH." WHAT DOES THIS SYMBOL REPRESENT (NOTE 3:8-9)? CAN YOU NOW BEGIN TO SEE WHERE THIS IS LEADING AND WHY THIS "BRANCH" CAN ASSUME THE TITLE OF BOTH HIGH PRIEST AND KING?
5. IN VERSES 14 AND 15, THE CROWN IS TO BE PLACED IN THE TEMPLE AS A MEMORIAL! HOW WOULD THE JEWS UNDERSTAND THIS REQUEST? WHAT FUTURE PROPHETIC VIEW WAS INTENDED AND WHEN WILL IT BE FULFILLED?