INTRODUCTION:

            It is not often in this modern world that we see the coronation of a king or queen.  In 1953 Queen Elizabeth was crowned queen of England and she reigned until her death in September 2022 at which point her son Charles became king.  Charles coronation took place on May 6, 2023, in Westminster Abbey.  He is the first British monarch to be crowned in the 21st century.  The United Kingdom watched the coronation on live television, and the estimated number of viewers was 20.4 million, it was the most watched broadcast in the UK of 2023.  The global audience that watched is believed to be about 2 billion people across 125 countries.  This shows that the crowning of a king or a queen are among the most impressive and momentous events in any society—modern or ancient.

            In a single night, the Lord gave Zechariah eight visions that were given to comfort those who had returned to Jerusalem from exile.  In these visions God assured His people that He remembered His promises to them and would fulfill them.  On the very next day, the Lord directed Zechariah to take part in a dramatic portrayal of the Messiah’s coronation at the beginning of the millennial kingdom.  On that day, all the promises of Zechariah’s visions will be completely fulfilled.  Let’s pray and then get into our passage for today.

--PRAY--

 

SCRIPTURE:

            Turn in your Bibles to Zechariah 6:9-15, our passage for this morning.  In it we will see the coronation portrayed, then it personified and finally the purpose for which it was acted out in this dramatic fashion.  Please, if you are able, stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word and follow along as I read.

     Zechariah 6:9-15,

            “The word of the Lord also came to me, saying, ‘Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah; and you go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon.  Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.  Then say to him, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord.  Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.’ ” ‘Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the Lord to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah. “Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the Lord.” Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And it will take place if you completely obey the Lord your God.’ ” (Zechariah 6:9–15, NASB95)[1]

THE CORONATION PORTRAYED (Zechariah 6:9-11)

            Zechariah ministered to those Jews who had returned to Israel from exile in Babylon when Cyrus had decreed that they could return to their own homeland.  Many Jews remained in Babylon where they had settled and made homes for themselves, but from time to time another group would form and return to Israel.  In today’s passage, Zechariah tells us that one of these groups has just returned to Jerusalem on the same day the prophet’s night visions had ended.  With the arrival of this new group, the Word of Yahweh came to Zechariah.  The Lord was going to use this occasion to arrange a scene that would portray or prefigure the future coronation of the Messiah in the millennial kingdom.  This portrayal would symbolically serve as the perfect epilogue to Zechariah’s visions since it portrayed the culmination of the realities of the previous night.

            God’s hand in directing what is taking place in this passage is clearly seen.  He is carefully arranging this whole event to foreshadow the future grandeur of the Messiah’s millennial coronation.  Beginning in verse 10 the Lord began by describing five characteristics of the people who attended the ceremony which portrayed what would take place in the future.  First, those who attended were generous and supportive, which is why the Lord directed Zechariah to take an offering from them.  Those who returned from Babylon did not return to Jerusalem empty-handed.  Often they carried a gift from those still in Babylon as well as their own gifts which they contributed for the rebuilding of the temple and in this case the offering of silver and gold was used to craft a crown.  Second, the Lord describes this group as exiles from Babylon, this group was part of the faithful remnant who returned home to Israel.  Third, they were men of godly character, this is why God gave us their names, because the meaning of their names described the God-centered character of these men.  Heldai was the first name given and it means “the Lord’s world.”  The next name given was Tobijah which means “Yahweh is good.”  The third name was Jedaiah which means “Yahweh knows.”  Together their names were a testimony to God’s dominion, goodness, and omniscience.  Fourth, they were part of the priesthood, they were descendants of Aaron, as was the prophet Zechariah, and he was to join these priests and come that same day into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.  Josiah’s house seemed to be the gathering place for newly arrived priests.  On this occasion, they gathered for a very special coronation ceremony.  Fifth, the Lord informs us that these newly arrived priests had come from Babylon.  This information not only informed us that they were returning from exile but should also cause us to remember the third night vision where the LORD commanded the exiles, “Flee from the land of the north…Ho Zion! Escape, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon.” (Zechariah 2:6b-7a, NASB95)[2]  God had commanded His people to leave the worldliness and wickedness of Babylon and return to their homeland.

            Each of these five characteristics anticipates the future generation of Israelites who will celebrate the Messiah’s coronation at the beginning of His millennial reign.  They too will bring an offering to build the millennial temple (Haggai 2:7-9) and to honor their Messiah.  As the prophets described, this offering will be made up of the treasures of the world (Micah 4:13; Haggai 2:7-9).  One day the nation that neglected the temple and rejected their Messiah will bring vast wealth in their enthusiasm for God’s house and God’s Son.  They will also return as exiles from the ends of the earth.  Though a small remnant returned from Babylon in the time of Zechariah, this homecoming only foreshadowed the day when an entire generation of Israelites will come back to their homeland and receive God’s salvation becoming the nation’s supreme generation.  This future generation will love and fear the Lord.  This future generation will walk with the Lord in devotion and obedience to Him, these people will be strong, righteous, joyful, full of life and blessing.  This future generation will be led in worship by the millennial priests that were depicted in Zechariah’s fourth vision.  The priests of the millennial kingdom will be restored to lead the world in the worship of Christ.  Finally, this future generation will consist of those who rejected the worldliness and wickedness of the end times Babylon.  They will turn their backs on its godless system leaving it behind in order to honor and serve the Lord.  These five characteristics demonstrate for us that the future generation of believing Jews will be fit for the Messiah’s kingdom and will experience all its blessings and fullness with great joy.  This remnant, as the most outstanding generation in Israel’s history, will assemble to celebrate the coming of God’s Son, the Messiah and the inauguration of His earthly millennial reign.

            God having described the characteristics of the future remnant as symbolized by these exiles; the focus of the passage now turns toward the glorious King.  The symbol of royal sovereignty at every coronation is the crown since it represents both authority and grandeur.  Because of this, God directs Zechariah to take the gold and silver of the offering and craft an ornate crown.  The term in Hebrew is actually plural (crowns) emphasizing the elaborate, beautiful, ornate design, exceeding the majesty of every other headpiece.  This crown was symbolic of the crown that will be given to the Lord Jesus Christ in the future.  The crown that was made in Zechariah’s day was made from the gold and silver that was brought as an offering for the temple.  The crown of Christ’s coronation will be crafted from the vast treasures of wealth that pour into Jerusalem from the entire world.  It will be the most beautiful, the most valuable, the most exquisite crown ever made, a crown of crowns to match and be worn by the King of kings and Lord of lords.

            How appalling it would be if the king Himself were not worthy of this majestic crown.  The Lord portrayed the Messiah’s worthiness by instructing Zechariah to set the crown on the “head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.” (Zechariah 6:11b, NASB95)[3]  To place a crown on the head of a High Priest in Zechariah’s day was unthinkable.  As we have talked about before, in Israel kings could not be priests and priests could not be kings.  God clearly delineated between these two offices and enforced the separation of these powers through the threat of divine curse.  Because of this division between the kings and the priests, this crown placed on Joshua’s head was not intended for Joshua.  This crown was symbolic of something that was yet future, beyond the time of Zechariah’s ministry, as seen in the seeming contradiction of a royal crown on the head of a High Priest.  As stated earlier, this scene portrayed here pointed to the future Messiah, who alone is King and High Priest.  On the day of Christ’s coronation there will be no question of His worthiness.  It will be understood that Christ alone unites and fulfills that which could never be joined in Israel’s history.  So, with the best crowd, the most majestic crown, and the best King, this future coronation will be like none other in all of history.  Its wonder will be unmatched, and it glory indescribable.

 

THE CORONATION PERSONIFIED (Zechariah 6:12-13)

            Once the crown was placed upon the head of Joshua, Yahweh then had a message for Joshua, and the message was to come through Zechariah.  Zechariah writes in verse 12, “Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts…’ ” (Zechariah 6:12a, NASB95)[4]  The message Yahweh of hosts had for Joshua would explain to him the significance of what had just been symbolized by having the royal crown placed on his head.  Within this explanation the Lord revealed six truths concerning the future end-times coronation ceremony of the Messiah.

            The first truth is that this event will display and celebrate the ultimate Sovereign.  Zechariah declared to Joshua, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, a man…’ ” (Zechariah 6:12b, NASB95)[5]  Remember in Zechariah’s first vision he saw riding on a red horse a man, we learned that this man was the Messiah.  By describing the Messiah as a man, the prophet  through the Lord’s words portrayed Christ as the One who will fulfill and reclaim Adam’s role of dominion over the whole earth.  This designation that the Messiah will be a man identifies Him as the last Adam.  His coronation will not only announce that He is the King of the Jews, but that He is King of all creation.

            The second truth is that the coronation of the Messiah will honor the accomplishments of the Messiah.  The prophet speaking the words of Yahweh of hosts declared that this man’s name is Branch, a messianic title that we first saw in the fourth night vision, this is a title that is used by other prophets as well and it always refers to the Messiah.  In each of those passages it was made clear that no mortal man could perfectly fulfill the office of king or the office of priest, but the messianic Branch would one day do so.  The coronation of Jesus Christ will recognize that from His humble birth, He overcame all barriers to take the throne and fulfill all that the prophets prophesied concerning Him.

            The third truth is that the Messiah’s coronation will honor His sacrificial and saving work.  As we learned the first time that we saw this title “Branch” in the fourth night vision it is inseparably and intimately tied to the Messiah’s incarnation and suffering as the substitutionary sacrifice for His people.  Zechariah’s words from Yahweh referred to this when he announced that the “Branch” “…will branch out from where He is…” (Zechariah 6:12b, NASB95)[6]  This language is much like the words of Isaiah 53:2 which states, “For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.” (Isaiah 53:2, NASB95)[7] and also Isaiah 61:11, “For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:11, NASB95)[8]  As the “Branch” the Messiah would not only suffer and die at the hands of His people, but He would also overcome death to be their atoning sacrifice and the Righteous One who justifies the many.  The branching out of the Branch describes the entire saving work of Christ.  He who begins humbly in His incarnation and affliction (from where He is) will branch out to redeem sinners and reconcile them to God, as His righteousness extends to the nations of which Isaiah 61:11 speaks.

            The fourth truth of the Messiah’s coronation is it will honor His faithfulness to fulfill God’s purposes for Israel.  Yahweh of hosts announced through Zechariah, “…and He will build the temple of the LORD (Yahweh).” (Zechariah 6:12c, NASB95)[9]  This would have been important for the people to whom Zechariah ministered, since they too were struggling to rebuild God’s temple.  Knowing that one day the Messiah would build the temple of Yahweh in the future millennial kingdom assured the people that their labors were not in vain but were part of God’s sovereign plan for His house.  The temple not only mattered to the people in Zechariah’s lifetime but to God Himself.  Having directed the people to build the first temple and the second temple, Christ will one day build a temple during His millennial reign, and it will be the epicenter of God’s glory, the center of world rule, the worldwide house of worship and the ultimate place of peace.  Zechariah’s visions themselves revealed that the completion of the temple after the Messiah returns will be the sign of the full restoration of Israel and Jerusalem, the full dwelling of God with His people, and the enjoyment of His blessings through worship.  This building in God’s plan will bring about the complete fulfillment of God’s blessings upon Israel.  Because of its importance to God’s purpose, only the final and true Davidic King will be able to build it.  At His coronation, God’s Son, the Messiah will be celebrated as the One who alone is worthy to accomplish this most important task and all it represents.

            The fifth truth is that the coronation of the Messiah will display His singular dominion.  Yahweh of hosts proclaims, “Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.” (Zechariah 6:13, NASB95)[10]  When Yahweh says, “Yes, it is He” God was stressing the worthiness of the Messiah alone to be the driving force to guide the work of building the millennial temple.  In His kingdom, the Lord Jesus Christ will not only be the center of this glorious achievement but the center of all glory as He will bear the honor, the splendor, which expresses His personal holiness and royal majesty.  In this glorious majesty  Christ will sit on His throne and rule as the ultimate ruler whose throne is established forever.  From that throne, he will reign and rule over all creation as the final Adam.  The future coronation of the Messiah will announce the majesty and the greatness of His work, worth, and worldwide reign.

            The sixth truth is that the coronation of the Messiah will proclaim His supreme office.  In the end of verse 13 Yahweh says, “Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.” (Zechariah 6:13b, NASB95)[11]  In setting up this scene Zechariah had already placed the royal crown on the head of Joshua the High Priest.  The Lord clearly stated here that this symbolism was essential because it illustrated the Messiah in His unmatched preeminence.  As already stated, no king of Israel could be a priest, and no priest could be a king.  Only the Messiah can and will unite these two offices.  David prophesied in Psalm 110:4, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.’ ” (Psalm 110:4, NASB95)[12]  Melchizedek was an ancient priest who was also a king (Genesis 14).  Though David was never a priest, he understood that the one who would fulfill the Davidic covenant would need to be like Melchizedek, both king and priest.  This preview of the Messiah’s coronation in Zechariah’s prophecy displayed that Christ will be the divine King-Priest.  He will be the ultimate ruler, governing righteously and mediating perfectly between God and man.

            Because of this truth, the Lord states, “…and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.” (Zechariah 6:13c, NASB95)[13]  In the past, the two offices of king and priest produced conflict, not peace.  Especially when the king or the priest were corrupt and evil.  But when they are united in Christ, the power and function of both roles will finally produce the counsel of peace.  This term counsel refers to the exercise of authority in planning, decision-making, and execution of one’s intentions.  Isaiah used the word to describe the Messiah as the “Wonderful Counselor.” (Isaiah 9:6)  This word does not refer to advice, but to a plan that is formed and enacted to shape the world.  The divine plan is for world peace, which describes a state of wholeness, unity, rest, joy, and calm.  Because the curse on the earth will be reversed, Christ’s kingdom will be again like Eden and the rest portrayed earlier in Zechariah’s night visions.  The Wonderful Counselor is the Prince of peace, and His coronation will set Him on His throne as His people celebrate the immeasurable blessings of His kingdom of peace.

 

THE CORONATION CROWN’S PURPOSE (Zechariah 6:14-15)

            Yahweh goes on to say that this crown will become a memorial of this prophecy of the Messiah’s coronation.  That this is to be a memorial is very fitting for the book of Zechariah.  In Hebrew, the word for memorial has the same root as the name Zechariah.  The name Zechariah means “Yahweh remembers.”  The crown that Zechariah placed on Joshua’s head symbolized the precious truth that God remembers His promises regarding the coming kingdom of His Son.  Memorials are to help people in recalling certain truths, actions, or even promises.  By placing this memorial crown in the temple of Yahweh it was to help the people know that God would never forget what He promised His people.

            In symbolizing God’s dedication to His plan, the crown specifically commemorated Helem, Tobijah, Jadaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.  The Lord mentions these men again so that His people might reflect on these men in two ways.  First, they were to recognize that they were eager and sacrificial supporters of God’s work.  Their generosity in giving was commendable.  Second, they represented men of godly character, as seen in the meaning of their names.  The names Tobijah (Yahweh is good) and Jedaiah (Yahweh knows) were used earlier in this passage and reminded the people to hope in the goodness and understanding of Yahweh.  The other two names Helem and Hen the son of Zephaniah were most likely shortened forms or alternative names for Heldai and Josiah the son of Zephaniah.  By using their alternative names, Zechariah wanted us to reflect on their meaning.  Helem means strength and reminds us that God has the power to fulfill His promises.  Hen means grace or kindness, the very word the people shouted when the temple was complete by Zerubbabel.  The future generation will shout the same when the Messiah completes the future millennial temple.  Thus, the crown in God’s temple not only displayed that Yahweh remembers His promises but also declared what kind of people Israel ought to be.  They were to imitate the service, godly character and hope of Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.

            Yahweh of hosts in verse 15 concluded with three ways Israel needed to respond as the considered the devotion and diligence of these four men.  First, God called His people to hope in His promises.  This is seen when the Lord says, “Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the LORD.” (Zechariah 6:15a, NASB95)[14]  This phrase “those who are far off” referred to Israelites scattered throughout distant lands in exile.  At the end of the age, God promised to regather His people no matter how far away they may be.  This phrase does not include only Israelites but also the saints among the Gentiles who will help Israel return home. Under the leadership of the Messiah, the returning Israelites with the help of the believing Gentiles will build the temple of Yahweh to herald the return of God’s glory.  With these words of comfort, the Lord assured His people that everything Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen hoped for would one day be fulfilled.

            Second, the Lord called His people to believe by faith in the Messiah.  As verse 15 also explains, when the Messiah returns, regathers His people and builds His millennial temple, “Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.” (Zechariah 6:15b, NASB95)[15]  This same statement was proclaimed earlier and is messianic in nature.  It states not only that Israel will recognize and acknowledge their Messiah in repentant faith, but they will also enjoy a personal relationship with Him.  Those characterized by the faith of Helem and his three companions will embrace the Messiah for who He truly is, the Anointed One of Yahweh.

            Third, God called His people to respond in love and obedience.  Simply being an Israelite was not enough to enter the Messiah’s coming kingdom.  Rather, the Lord explained, “And it will take place if you completely obey the LORD your God.” (Zechariah 6:15c, NASB95)[16] Only those who listen or obey the voice of Yahweh (the Word of God) will inherit the blessings of His kingdom.  On the other side, those who reject and ignore His Word will not be permitted to enter His kingdom.  The Apostle Paul made this point very clear when he wrote, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10, NASB95)[17]  By contrast, Christ’s kingdom will consist only of those who love, honor, and obey the King—as they completely obey the Lord their God.

            External acts of obedience do not earn a sinner a place in the kingdom of the Messiah.  Rather, true obedience is the result of a heart that has been justified and regenerated by God’s grace, based solely on the work of His Son.  As Paul continued in 1st Corinthians 6:11, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11, NASB95)[18]  Only those who have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ, having been saved by grace through faith will be admitted to His kingdom.  Having been transformed by the Holy Spirit at salvation, they now act in accordance with their love for the Lord.  So, as they anticipated their future place in the Messiah’ kingdom, the righteous remnant of Israel was called to obey submissively to Yahweh, and this response was from the heart, as they eagerly served God out of loyal love for Him.

 

CONCLUSION:

            Just as Israel was to emulate the hope, faith, and love of Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen, because the kingdom of God belongs to people such as these, we too should imitate their faith, hope, and love.  Having been redeemed by God’s grace, they eagerly responded with devotion, diligence and delight in the Lord.  If you have responded to God’s call to you and believed that Jesus Christ died for you, then the Holy Spirit has transformed you into a child of God and like these four Israelites we should seek to obey the voice of the Lord out of love and devotion for Him.  The apostle Peter very clearly summarized the right response to what God revealed in this passage.  He states in 2nd Peter 3:14, “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:14, NASB95)[19]

 

[1]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[2]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[3]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[4]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[5]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[6]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[7]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[8]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[9]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[10]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[11]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[12]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[13]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[14]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[15]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[16]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[17]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[18]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[19]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.