Rabbi Gary is focusing attention on the prophet's vision of the Branch of the Lord (Zechariah 3:1-10). The key phrase is the promise, "I will bring forth my servant the Branch" (vs.8).

The Hebrew word translated "Branch" is צֶמַח (pronounced tzamach) meaning "sprout," "growth," or "branch" and is found twelve times in the Hebrew Scriptures and in addition is used five times symbolic of Messiah.

The foundation passage upon which the image of Messiah as the Branch is developed is II Samuel 23:5. In verse 1, David is making the claim that he is a man who was "raised up" by God to provide prophetic revelation "concerning the Messiah of the God of Jacob, the Delightful One of the songs of Israel." Interestingly, this translation is similar to the alternative translation provided in the margin of the American Standard Version of 1901 which reads, "pleasant in the Psalms of Israel."

Zechariah, (in the portion of Scripture we address at this service), pictures the Branch as a Servant, (3:1-10). By referring to the Branch as a Servant the prophet is combining or linking two messianic titles (Isaiah 42:1; 49:6; 50:10; 52:13).

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