Zechariah 3

¹ And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

² And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: [is] not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

³ Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

⁴ 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.

⁵ 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.

⁶ And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,

⁷ Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

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.

⁹ For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone [shall be] seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

¹⁰ In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

Table of Contents

Overview of Zechariah Chapter 3

Zechariah Chapter 3 presents a significant vision concerning the high priest Joshua, symbolizing the restoration of God’s people and the removal of sin. This chapter is rich in symbolism and serves as a pivotal moment in the prophetic narrative, emphasizing themes of redemption, divine grace, and the coming of the Messiah.

Key Characters

Joshua the High Priest: Represents the spiritual leadership of Israel and is depicted in a state of filth, symbolizing the sins of the people.
Satan: The accuser who stands before the Lord, representing opposition and condemnation against God’s people.
The Angel of the Lord: Acts as an intermediary and advocate for Joshua, symbolizing divine intervention and mercy.

Structure of the Chapter

Vision of Joshua (Verses 1-5): The scene opens with Joshua standing before the Angel of the Lord, with Satan at his right side accusing him.
Divine Rebuke of Satan (Verse 2): The Lord rebukes Satan, emphasizing His choice of Jerusalem and the removal of sin.
Symbolic Cleansing (Verses 3-4): Joshua is depicted as wearing filthy garments, which are removed, and he is clothed with rich robes, symbolizing purification and restoration.
Promise of the Branch (Verse 8): The chapter concludes with a prophetic reference to the coming Messiah, referred to as the Branch, who will bring about ultimate redemption.

Theological Themes

Divine Forgiveness: The act of removing Joshua’s filthy garments signifies God’s willingness to forgive the sins of His people.
Advocacy of Christ: The Angel of the Lord serves as an advocate, foreshadowing Christ’s role as intercessor for humanity.
Restoration of Israel: The chapter reflects the hope of restoration for Israel, both spiritually and physically, after their exile.
The Coming Messiah: The mention of the Branch points to the future messianic hope that will bring salvation and establish God’s kingdom.

Symbolism

Filthy Garments: Represent the sin and iniquity of the people of Israel.
Rich Robes: Symbolize righteousness and the restoration of dignity and honor.
Stone with Seven Eyes (Verse 9): Represents divine insight and the completeness of God’s vision and judgment.

Conclusion

Zechariah Chapter 3 is a profound depiction of God’s grace and mercy towards His people. It illustrates the transition from guilt to forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of spiritual renewal. The chapter not only addresses the immediate concerns of the post-exilic community but also points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises through the Messiah. The imagery and themes resonate deeply within the broader narrative of scripture, highlighting God’s unwavering commitment to redeem and restore His people.

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Andrew

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