Zechariah 3:1-10
Q.1. Who was Joshua? What was Satan doing? What was his case against Joshua? How did the Lord withstand him? How did He treat Joshua? – (Zech.3:1-5 c.f. Ezra 3:2; 5:2)
Zechariah had seen a vision of angels measuring Jerusalem, the centre of Israel’s worship (Zech.2:1-4). Joshua was High Priest at the time when the exiles were returning to rebuild the city and its Temple (Zech.3:1). The prophet saw a scene in Heaven, with Satan accusing Joshua who had been away from Jerusalem and was clothed in filthy garments (Zech.3:1 & 3). The Lord saw a very different High Priest. He rebuked Satan – … Is this not a brand plucked from the fire? (Zech.3:2). He then commanded – He … said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him” … “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.” (Zech.3:4). It was recorded that this cleansing of the priests was carried out after the ministries of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah – 18 Then they appointed the priests to their divisions and the Levites in their orders for the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses. 20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure. Then they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, both for their brothers the priests, and for themselves (Ezra 6:18 & 20 c.f. Ezra 5:1; 6:14). This prophecy would have been inspirational.
Q.2. What responsibility was Joshua given? When will the Branch completely restore God’s people? What changes will God usher in? – (Zech.3:6-10 c.f. Zech.12:10-13:1; Is.11:1-10)
God warned Joshua following his cleansing – “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 (Zech. 3:7). However, God has much more in mind than that generation. They were a symbol and sign of the future – … for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch (Zech.3:8 c.f. Is.11:1-10) [Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit (Is.11:1). In that day the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a sign for the peoples (Is.11:10)]. God has perfect (seven eyes) foreknowledge, and it is engraved in stone (Zech.3:9). What was this incontestable declaration by the Lord of heavens and hosts? – … I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day (Zech.3:9 c.f. Zech.12:10-13:1; Rom 11:25-27). Consistent with many prophecies, this Branch will usher in the Reign of Messiah Who will bring peace to Israel and the nations (Zech.3:10 c.f. Is.2:2-4; 9:2-7; 11:1-9).