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"Receive the gift from the captives"

Text: Zechariah 6:10

THE GIFT OF THE RETURNEES

The latter returnees did not return to Israel empty-handed. But would their gifts be accepted by those who had returned earlier?

“Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
‘Receive the gift from the captives-
from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon-
and go the same day and enter the house of Josiah
the son of Zephaniah.'”
Zechariah 6:9-10

1. Batches of returnees

a) There were those who had returned to Israel earlier.

b) There were those who seemed unsure and were reluctant to return earlier.

c) But they had finally decided that they would return to Israel as well.

d) They came back with gifts.

2. A hint of tension

a) There could have been some tension among the returnees.

b) The latter had brought a gift with them.

i) If their gift was rejected the tension could escalate.

ii) But should their gift be accepted at all?

3. God’s direct word resolved the problem of the gift from the latter returnees from Babylon

a) Zechariah was the prophet of God.

b) He was authorised to receive the gift from those who had come from Babylon.

c) The gift was borne by three men from Babylon. It was accepted by the Lord God.

d) There was to be no tension between the earlier and latter batches of returnees.

4. The gift was to be brought immediately to the house of Josiah, the son of Zephaniah

Who they were was not made known specifically. But he would be involved in the casting of a crown that would be placed on the head of the high priest.