The Pulpit Commentary — Zechariah — Section 66

t.o ~heir o_ffenngs. These are not only '.11.0t refused, but openly accepted-a vory great pomt, and by no means such a matter of course as we are sometimes inclined to suppo!!e (Gen. iv. 4, 5; Numb. xvi. 16; Exod. xxv. 2; xxx. 16; x.xxv. Ii, etc.). Also, when accepted, these offerinF:s are honoured, and put to very dignified use, being employed _t.o make "crowns" (ver. 11) for God's chief minister then upon earth (compare, ID some respects, the box of ointment mentioned in Mark xiv. 3-9). Il. THE INSTRUCTION VOUCHSAFED THEM. See what God says of Joshua, when thus adorned, as a type or sign (-0omp. eh. iii. 8), in vers. 12 and 13. With these two crowns on him, he seems to represent to us: l. The appearance qf the coming Messiah ?°1, his h11mi:liation. We see him here (I) as a man ("Behold.the Mnn ! "ver.12; John xix. 5); and, therefore, as sharing to the full man's nature and circumstances (" growing up;" comp. Isa. !iii. 2 ; Luke ii. 51, 52). We see him here (2) as the Representative Man, the Son of man (" The Branch," ver. 12), engaged, as such, in domg man's work, viz. in saving men or brin~ing them to glory (Heb. ii. 10, 11) • in other words, in "building" God's "temple, ' or Church (Matt. xvi. 18). 2. 'The appearance of the coming Messiah in his glory. For example, we see him h~ (1) as a Builder o'. Teacher, doing all_ by himself. "Even he" (ver. 13). He, indeed, being such as he 1s ! He, alone, having no one else with him (see Isa. !xiii. 3, 5) ! More especially and clearly we see him (2) as both King and High Priest. This also fore- shadowed by the case of Melchizedek (Gen. xiv. 18; Ps. ex. 4; Heb. vii. 14). This signified here by the interpretation apparently given to the two "crowns" in ver. 13 (" sitting and ruling on his throne," and being "a priest on his throne"); and possibly, also, by the intimation at the end of that verse, of perfectly harmonious co-operation, in his case, of these genera.Uy divided and even incompatible offices. This afterwards accomplished, as to his priestly office, when, by being "lifted up " on the cross, he drew all men to himself (John xii. 32, where note also the connection between the inquiry of the Greeks, so "far off," in vers. 20-.-23, and .the "glorifying" of the Son of man in ~he subsequent verse); and, as to his kingly office, in that primary "build- ing" up of his Church by the bestowment of the gifts mentioned in Acts ii. 33 and v. 3L Then most manifestly did he "bear" that twofold " glory " referred to here in ver. 13. ID. Tm: SPECIAL PROMOTION CONFERRED ON THEM. As shown by the :final•destina- tion of their offerings. After doing their duty, as " crowns" to Joshua, in a typical way, they were to have a perpetual place amongst the treasures of God'~ house (ver. 14). This: 1. .As a "rrumwruil." (Ver.14.) Future visitors should learn from them how these first visitors (as they appear to have been) had been welcomed. Possibly this may even help to account for the world-wide habit which afterwards prevailed amongst the Jews in this respect (Acts ii.1-11, etc.; and compare, pllrhaps, Rom. xvi. 5; Eph. ii. 12). 2. .As a pledge. Placed.in the restored temple, these crowns would be a kind of standing prophecy: (1) Of the future calling of the Gentiles, when those now "afar off" should not only come and be welcomed, but should even help to " build" the true temple of God. (2) Of the coming glory of Messiah. Then, i.e. when this ingathering of the Gentiles (Gen. :xliL 10) has taken place, says the Angel- Jehovah here (in ver. 15), ye shall know that the Lord of· hosts bath sent me unto you (compare two clauses of Luke iL 31). 3 . .As a warning. "Ye s~~ll know," if willing to know-so it means (see end of ver. 15; and comp. Dan. xu. 10; John vii. 17). • See how these various considerations show the unity of the Bible. 1. As to its structwre. Joshua, or Jesus, after the Exodus, brings the Israelites, as Moses could not do, into rest. Another" Jesus," after the Captivity, typifies, in eh. iii. 6-10, the two DJ1.tures of Christ; and, in this passage, his two offices of King and Priest. In the "fulness of time" a third "Jesus" arises, in whom all these things are fulfilled. Is there no evidenC<!, in all this, of " design " ? 2. As to its subject. Wherever we penetrate far enough beneath the surface, we :find this one "Rock." Must it not, therefore, like the granite in geological formations, be the foundation of all ? 3. Ae to its source. To what are we to attribute such singular unity of teaching, at such very different times, and in such very different circumstances, except virtual unity of origin, or of supervision, to say the least? Is not the true and only explanation in 1uch passages a.s 2 Pet. i. 21; 1 Cor. xii. 6-11? OH, VI, 1-16,] THE BOOK OF ZECH A RIAH.