Topic: The Shadow and Reality
Bible Reading: Zechariah 3: 8–10 (The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 2011 by Biblica, Inc.)
- “ ‘Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.
- See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.
- “ ‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
Word for Today: Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch – v. 8.
Inspiring Commentary:
God in his wisdom chose to speak through visions of a glorious future to the tribe of Judah who had returned from the Babylonian exile but were shamed and paralyzed by the utter destruction and ruin of Jerusalem. God’s intention was to give them hope and encouragement to face the challenges before them and finish the work of rebuilding the destroyed temple and their communal lives.
Our God is an excellent motivator who uses the truth about our present and future glory to sustain us in a time of distress. God encouraged and inspired hope in Joshua the high priest and his fellow priests that they are representatives of the true High Priest who is yet to come – the Branch. They badly needed this message of hope to carry on with their work in the face of very discouraging circumstances.
Life may be unfair to you in many ways, but life on earth is but a shadow; the reality for us as saints of God is life in eternity with Christ. Do not throw away your confidence in God for it will surely be rewarded (Hebrews 10: 36–40). Remember the encouraging words of Apostle Paul to the Colossians – “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
Prayer:
- Lord, please help me to always remember the promise of a glorious future in Christ, so that I will remain faithful in following You all my days.*