Zechariah 3:6-10
6 And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying,
7 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘If you walk in My ways and perform My service, then you will both govern My house and be in charge of My courtyards, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.
8 Now listen, Joshua, you high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a sign: for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch.
9 For behold, the stone that I have put before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I am going to engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the Lord of armies, ‘and I will remove the guilt of that land in one day.
10 On that day,’ declares the Lord of armies, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree.’ ”
The Message to Joshua (2)
The stone
This is the second study of this passage. Last time, we learned that with regard to the Messiah’s titles, “the Branch” equals “the Servant.” This time, we will study “the stone.” When the word “stone” is used symbolically, it refers to the Messiah. “‘For behold, the stone that I have put before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I am going to engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the Lord of armies, ‘and I will remove the guilt of that land in one day’” (v 9). (1) This stone is the Messiah. It has “seven eyes.” Seven is a number of completeness. This indicates that the Messiah knows all things, that is, it points to His omniscience and omnipresence. The Messiah will become the perfect High Priest for us. (2) “Behold, I am going to engrave an inscription on it” means that the name of the Messiah will be engraved on that stone. (3) “And I will remove the guilt of that land in one day” is a prophecy that Israel’s conversion will be accomplished through the Messiah, and that it will take place in a single day. “That land” is the same as “the holy land” in 2:12. This verse is a prophecy of the national salvation of Israel in the end times.
The blessings of the Millennial Kingdom
“‘On that day,’ declares the Lord of armies, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree’” (v10). (1) This verse prophesies the fulfillment of the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom). “On that day” refers to the day of the Messiah’s Second Coming in the end times. (2) After the salvation of Israel, the Messianic Kingdom will be established on the earth. It will be a time when people live in safety and prosperity. (3) The expression “invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree” is a phrase that signifies peace and prosperity and appears frequently in the Old Testament (ref. 1 Kings 4:25; Isa. 36:16; Micah 4:4). The present world is on a path of collapse. The blessings that God has prepared for us are the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom), and beyond that, the new heaven and new earth (the eternal order). Let us recognize where we stand in history now and resolve to live the Christian life in accordance with God’s plan. The present world is on a path of collapse. The blessings that God has prepared for us are the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom), and beyond that, the new heaven and new earth (the eternal order). Let us recognize where we stand in history now and resolve to live the Christian life in accordance with God’s plan.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us a certain outlook of the future. Through that knowledge, help me to live faithfully in the present time. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.