Haggai, Zechariah, Zerub'babel, and Joshua, Son of Jehozadak

Zechariah 3
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

Hebrew tradition, which appears to have had some influence on our Baptist forefathers, concludes that the BRANCH does not refer to the Christ but to Zerub'babel, the righteous Hebrew king (or Governor) of Judea in the post-captivity. Following is more on Zerub'babel, the Christ-like figure.

Haggai 2
23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerub'babel She-al'ti-el, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

Those must have been wonderful, hopeful times. The Hebrews were back in Jerusalem, the temple was being built.  They had a good king, Zerub'babel, they had a good priest, they had Joshua, the righteous high priest, and they had two great prophets, Haggai and Zechariah.

Kind of reminds me of Richard Nixon and Billie Graham. Then again, maybe not....