The Chief Priest
December 31, 2022
Commentary
In the fourth vision Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before God. Joshua’s filthy garments are exchanged for clean robes; Satan’s accusations against him are rejected by God. This vision can be divided as follows: (1) The details of the vision (vv. 1-5); and (2) the explanation of the vision (vv. 6-10).
We find Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord (v. 1) and Satan is there accusing Joshua of many things. Then the Lord says to Satan, “I reject your accusations and I rebuke you” (v. 2). I extend my mercy to Joshua and his nation. They are like a burning stick pulled out of the fire.
Joshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood before the angel of the Lord (v. 3). God sees the condition of His minister and takes the incentive of cleansing him. The angel asked those standing near him to remove his filthy garments and replace them with new clothes (v. 4,5). It is only the clean clothes of Christ’s righteousness that makes me worthy to draw near to God.
Then the angel of the Lord lays down two requirement for Joshua to follow (v. 6): (1) To walk in God’s ways; (2) to keep God’s requirements. Then he says if you will meet these conditions I will allow you to enjoy three things: (1) You can be in charge of my house; (2) You can be in charge of my courts and (3) You can have free access to God like the angels have (v. 7). The angel then tells the people that Joshua is an example of one who is to come who he refers to as “the Foundation Stone.” Most Bible scholars say this is Jesus Christ. Furthermore he says, “I will remove the sins of this land in one day (vv. 8-9).” In that day, the Lord of Hosts declares that you will all live in peace and prosperity in your own homes and with your neighbors (v. 10).
Application
Zechariah’s vision shows how I can receive God’s mercy. There is nothing I can do myself. God removes my filthy garments (sins) and provides me with the robes of His righteousness.
Zechariah 3:1– 10 (NET)
1 Next I saw Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “May the Lord rebuke you, Satan! May the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Isn’t this man like a burning stick snatched from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood there before the angel. 4 The angel spoke up to those standing all around, “Remove his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “I have freely forgiven your iniquity and will dress you in fine clothing.” 5 Then I spoke up, “Let a clean turban be put on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood nearby. 6 Then the angel of the Lord exhorted Joshua solemnly: 7 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘If you follow my ways and keep my requirements, you will be able to preside over my temple and attend to my courtyards, and I will allow you to come and go among these others who are standing by you. 8 Listen now, Joshua the high priest, both you and your colleagues who are sitting before you, all of you are a symbol that I am about to introduce my servant, the Branch. 9 As for the stone I have set before Joshua—on the one stone there are seven eyes. I am about to engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, ‘to the effect that I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. 10 In that day,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, ‘everyone will invite his friend to fellowship under his vine and under his fig tree.’”