In Zechariah 3:5, we see Zechariah asking for a fair mitre to be placed upon the head of Joshua in a vision he is being given from God. And, in Zechariah 6:11 God instructs Zechariah to literally place crowns of gold and silver and set them upon Joshua’s head. The vision and the action are both in context of Messianic prophecies of Jesus Christ; however, notice the difference in crowns. I think there is another layer of interpretation here regarding our Christian relationships.

In Zechariah 3, we see a vision of Joshua being clothed with a new set of garments in spite of Satan’s accusations. It is a picture of us being clothed in Jesus’ righteousness, being forgiven and cleansed of sin.

"Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by." [Zech 3:3-5]

I think we could say that Zechariah, looking at the work of God in Joshua’s life of sanctification and glorification, is excited. He is joyful over The Lord’s work in his brother’s life, and as a result, asks God to bless him even more, saying, “let them set a fair mitre upon his head.” Does that typify our attitude towards our brothers or sisters in Christ? Paul certainly had that attitude. You can read more about this here [Link to post: Seeking Sanctification in Others].

What is really encouraging here is that Zechariah says to put a fair mitre on Joshua’s head, while God instructs crowns of gold and silver. In Zechariah 6:11, God says to Zechariah, “take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest.” And then The LORD says for Zechariah,

"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 shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he 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." [Zech 6:12-13] 

I think Zechariah had a good heart for his brother, Joshua; but God had an even bigger heart and bigger plans! We should be careful not to inhibit the Lord from working in other’s lives/our lives (not that Zechariah did) and not to limit Him. He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” and sometimes we can limit Him through unbelief, through hardening our hearts, etc. We especially don’t want to do this in others’ lives.

CONCLUSION

When we look into another person’s life, don’t limit God on them – don’t think or pray for them to have just a mitre, but a crown! God can do anything! He can use that person gloriously, more gloriously than we often think.