The Counsel of Peace (Zechariah 6:9-15)

Zechariah moves from being the recipient of visions to the prophet who brings the word of the Lord to the Lord's people. He brings a revelation that a crown is to be placed on the priest's head, and then the crown is the be placed in the temple. The promise is that the branch brings the council of peace between them both. We might think that there is a tension between the king in Israel and the priest. However, it is not an issue of the people, but the separate offices. Zechariah is speaking of the priest king who has no beginning of days nor end of days that we know as Melchizedek.

Approaching the King (Ecclesiastes 8:1-9)

Rulers and superiors are people who have authority.  This is an authority that can make things rather stressful for us if we try to enter into their presence because they have power to hire, fire, and even sentence.  How will they receive us?  How will they receive criticism if we have to give some? What will be the potential consequence for appearing to challenge their authority?  These are the sorts of things that the preacher in Ecclesiastes teaches us about in his sermon.  So, how do we approach the leaders of our day?