"Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree."
Zechariah 3:8-10
Joshua and his fellow-priests were types of better things to come. The phrase men wondered at, literally means men of a wonder (sign of future things). These men and their offices pictured greater things to come.
The LORD promised to bring His Servant, the Branch. This is none other than Jesus (Yeshua) the Messiah. We find His title of Servant mentioned by Isaiah (42:1), and we find His title the Branch mentioned twice by the prophet Jeremiah (23:5, 33:15). The Jewish priesthood was temporary (Hebrews 10). Even the high priest of Israel needed to offer sacrifices for his sins, because he, though God's chosen man, was still just a man (Hebrews 7:27); however, God's Great High Priest, is both God and Man. To Zechariah and his brothers, the Messiah's first advent was in the future. To us, it is recorded as having been accomplished, and to both Zechariah and us, the Lord's second coming is a glorious hope for which all of God's redeemed await.
God promised Zechariah that upon this magnificent Stone would be seven eyes. According to chapter 4, verse 10, these eyes are the divine eyes of the Almighty. Perhaps God is saying that the Father's eyes would be upon the work of the Messiah just as His eyes were upon the building of the temple in Zechariah's day, but I think the meaning is more significant. I believe that God is telling us that the same eyes of divinity that characterize the LORD of hosts will also characterize His chosen Stone, thus making this Stone equal with God (I Peter 2:4-6, John 5:18).
Notice how verse 8 finishes. God promised to remove the iniquity of Israel in one day. The crucifixion of Christ accomplished redemption's work in one day. Just before Christ willingly gave up His own life, He cried out, "It is finished!" That day, He was buried, and 3 days later, He arose from the dead, thus accomplishing redemption for ALL who will believe. "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God ... For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:12, 14)
As of now, most of the Jewish nation persists in unbelief of the Messiah, but a day is coming when all of that will change. At the end of the Tribulation period, at the return of Christ, the Jews that are left will see Him whom they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him in repentance of their unbelief. As Paul said, "...And so all Israel shall be saved." (Romans 11:26).
In one day, God will save the Jewish nation. How much better are these things than the temporary and faulty priesthood of Zechariah's day? For us who have placed our faith in the Great High Priest, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised)." (Hebrews 10:21-23)
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