Even So, Come Lord Jesus, Come!
Zephaniah 6:11-12
"Take silver and gold, make a crown, and place it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. You are to tell him: This is what the Lord of Armies says: Here is a man whose name is Branch; he will branch out from his place and build the Lord’s temple."
Unless the Lord's own word gives interpretation then often we'll see wild speculation about what the readers want to prophet to be saying. More often than not the first explanation offered from within the word is the interpretation God meant should be received. Expositional constancy seen throughout the scriptures also helps us to attempt at fully understanding what The Lord is speaking about. For instance brass typically represents judgment. Birds often represent the enemy. The seed is the word of God. And the Branch is the Messiah King.
The strick Orthodox Jews in Israel today are against the current government in there. This is because they believe that there is no legitimate basis for the nation to exist until this prophecy in Zechariah about the Messiah [The Branch] has come to pass. Of course in the Christian tradition we are leaning heavy upon the prophecy in the New Testament book of Revelation, and we interpret the Branch in Zephaniah chapter six to be a prophecy about Jesus Christ. In fact we see this prophecy about both the first and second coming. The crowning of Joshua [whose name is in fact Jesus in Greek] is representative of that glorious day when the Messiah King is crowned after conquering death. But for now Joshua is crowned and later that crown is placed in the temple where it will remain as a reminder to the people of the coming King.
Here in Zechariah's prophecy we are given a chance to understand the world after the great day of the Lord has passed. The kingdom of the North is at peace, the Angels have confirmed it. The Lord sends his Angel armies to roam the earth scanning for trouble and finding none. They scan everywhere except in the East. Why? I don't know...and frankly I don't care. I'm more interested in the fact that God’s Angelic forces are universally victorious. The promised deliverance is accomplished, and the way has been secured for the children of God to take their place in God's eternal kingdom history.
What's the deal with the crown and the crowning of Joshua?
One of the more recent interpretations reflects upon the Hebrew word for “crown” ('aṭārôt) is in fact plural.
Zechariah 6:11
"Take silver and gold, make a crown, and place it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the..."
The thought is that two crowns are made, one of Silver and the other of Gold. The priestly Silver crown is placed upon Joshua's head and the Gold crown is stored in anticipation for that Messianic King. A glimpse of greater things to come.
Zechariah 6:14
"The crown will reside in the Lord’s temple as a memorial..."
Joshua is crowned, anointed as high priest, but by his contribution he cannot fulfill the promise of the Davidic Branch. This is addressed by the New Testament writer of the book of Hebrews 7:16...
"Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4)
Satan is bound, Christ Jesus is crowned king and high priest, and the Millennial paradise is fulfilled, and Jesus is the one who guarantees the better covenant with God. His priesthood lasts forever because he has conquered death. He is the blameless holy priest, unstained by sin, he the King and the perfect High Priest forever.
It's a beautiful picture of a time I think we all long for, a true time of peace and righteousness that we all need. And a King like no other. A King we all could love and worship.
I don't know about you, but all I can say is EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS, COME!