On June 2, 1953, Queen Elizabeth was crowned in Westminster Abbey. The crown, which dates back to 1661, was solid gold. It weighed over four pounds. The Queen also held a golden globe wrapped by a band encrusted with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and pearls topped with a large amethyst. Today’s passage also describes a coronation. Scholars disagree about whether it describes an actual event or it was another vision. However, the opening formula in verse 9 sets it apart from the previous eight visions. The mention of specific individuals seems to imply that Zechariah was talking about something that actually took place. Even if this was a historical event, it had symbolic significance. The precious metals brought by Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah were probably originally intended for the reconstruction of the temple. Instead, Zechariah was told to take them to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah and fashion a crown out of them. The implication is that Josiah was a smelter or craftsman equipped to work with gold and silver. Joshua was a surprising candidate for this honor since he was a priest. If this had been an ordinary coronation, we might expect the crown to go to Zerubbabel, because he was heir to the throne of Judah and the appointed governor. Joshua is a picture of the Messianic king. He is called the “Branch,” a Hebrew word that means “shoot” or “sprout” (v. 12). The same word appears in the Messianic promise of Jeremiah 23:5–6. We might think of this event as a dress rehearsal for the coronation of King Jesus!