Now we look at the second Joshua, the second Hebrew man named "Yahweh saves". Like the first Joshua, he would lead God's people to the promised land. The first "Yahweh saves" led the people in the EXODUS from bondage in Egypt to the promised land. The second "Yahweh saves" led God's people in the RETURN from bondage in Babylon, to the promised land.

At the first exodus, salvation came in the first month of the year. Likewise, the second exodus (Return), salvation was in the first month of the year, nearly a thousand years later. In both cases, the deliverance was through the overthrow of their captors. In Egypt, the complete capitulation of Egypt and destruction of Pharaoh's army. In Babylon, the overthrow of Babylon by Cyrus. In both instances the people left greatly enriched by gifts of gold and silver.

Both groups were led into the promised land by a man named "Yahweh saves".

Who was this second Joshua?

And the word of the Lord came unto me [Zechariah], saying, Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah; Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he [Joshua #2] shall build the temple of the Lord: Even he [Joshua #3] shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. Zechariah 6:9-13

This saying of Zechariah was BOTH an order and a dual prophecy. He ordered the crown to be made and placed on Joshua's head. He ordered Joshua to RETURN to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. The prophecy was regarding the success of the building of the temple, but even more, it was about the third "Yahweh saves" who would be known as "The BRANCH" and "the counsel of peace shall be between them both" (both Joshuas).

Joshua was the grandson of the High priest at the time of captivity. The priesthood was hereditary, so Joshua, the son of Josedech was the rightful high priest. Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, was the grandson of the reigning king at the time of captivity, so was the crown prince, the rightful king (if a king would have been allowed by the governing Medes and Persians). The two, prince and priest, led the RETURN to the promised land.

Joshuas's task was more than just leading the people, it included restoring the temple, the house of Yahweh. Yahweh always desires restoration - of His temple and of His people. Most of the life of this Joshua involved the trials and difficulties accomplishing his mission. Together, the prince Zerubbabel and the priest, "Yahweh saves" (Joshua) led the Return and the rebuilding of the temple.

The 40 years wandering in the wilderness during the first exodus, eliminated all unfaithful people from inheriting the promised land. The 70 years captivity in Babylon largely accomplished the same thing. However, there were a few who Returned who were old enough to remember Solomon's destroyed temple. They wailed and cried because the rebuilt temple was so (physically) inferior (Haggai 2:3). However, Haggai replied:

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:9

How can this be? It certainly wasn't because of physical glory. It could ONLY be because the Prince of Peace would come to this new (physically inferior) temple.