Zechariah's visions continue.
The second angel continues to show Zechariah visions. Next, Zechariah sees Joshua (Jeshua), the high priest. Joshua is standing before the angel of the Lord (often understood to be preincarnate Jesus). Also, Zechariah see Satan standing ready to accuse Joshua.
The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire? Zechariah 3:2
Very interesting. This is a very different kind vision than we see with other prophets. To see Satan ready to accuse someone and have the King of the universe rebuke him is extraordinary. And notice that God emphasizes that He chose Jerusalem. And He points out that He just plucked His people from the fire of Babylon, so it should be obvious that He is going to save His people.
Satan stands ready to accuse us. And it's not our own record that saves us.
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. Zechariah 3:3
Again, that's us. Joshua is not in a position to defend himself in front of the King with a smart accuser.
He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.”Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by. Zechariah 3:4–5
The pronouns get a little fuzzy here, but the message is clear: The Lord takes our filthy garments and gives us clean robes and a turban for our head. Israel went into captivity filthy and spiritually trashed. We find ourselves in the same position. And then Joshua (Israel's symbolic spiritual condition) is reestablished with clean robes and a new head covering. Just like us. And then all of this will be made perfect in the final judgement.
"I have taken your iniquity away from you."
Imagine standing in a court room, helpless before your professional accuser, facing the full force of your sin and having the judge remove your iniquity. The guilt you know that you earned, the debt you know you can't pay, dissolves. We later find out someone agreed to pay the full penalty. But in that moment you don't get what you deserve...what a surreal feeling.
Relief.
Joy.
But sorrow, knowing your garment was filthy because of you.
Iniquity removed by someone else.
Mercy.
Grace.
Redemption. Amazing Grace.
And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here. Zechariah 3:6–7
This is important.
The judge may have removed the iniquity and given us a new robe and turban, but not just so that we can go get it filthy again. The Lord tells Joshua what he needs to do with the new found redemption: Walk in my ways. Serve. Lead.
Freedom isn't free. Physical or spiritual.
But look what Joshua gets in exchange for this new walk: access to the Lord and his angels.
Heaven in now. This is our ability to enter the throne room of grace.
It's hard to even get my mind around it all.
Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch. Zechariah 3:8
- The Branch! Who will sustain our vines.
- He is referred to as God's servant, just like we learn in Philippians. Jesus was humble in serving His father.
- All of this is a symbol of the much bigger thing to come.
The Messiah will perfect and cleanse Israel. Protection and provision for all nations will follow.
We're expected to invite our neighbors into the protection and provision of the Lord.
What a vision. Daniel got to see some amazing prophecies about the world. But what we're seeing here is life and death in eternity. The forgiveness of sins. The coming Messiah. Who will come again.
Hallelujah! and Amen.
His promises are yes and amen. He's coming back again.
These are short chapters, but wow, they pack a punch!