Zechariah 3
-Joshua (Yeshua,
same name as Jesus), the high priest, is shown to Zechariah. He was standing
before the angel of the LORD, and Satan was standing at his right hand accusing
him. Then 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 3:1-2)?” God was saying that, yes, Israel had gone astray and sinned
against Him. But, He would pluck them like a brand out of the fire of judgment
to give them rescue and deliverance. God was setting the stage for His
Righteous Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Joshua, who should have been the most holy
man in all the land, is indicated as having filthy garments clothing him as he
stood before the angel. God declares that his filthy garments can be removed. In
other words, God has the right to take away his iniquity and clothe him with
festal, clean, perfect robes (Zechariah 3:3-4). Now Zechariah, the prophet,
chimes in, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” This they did as the
angel of the LORD was standing by. And then the angel admonished Joshua,
saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘If you 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 3:5-7).” God then reveals the marvelous. The ones around him are
symbols of servants of the most High God, and He is going to bring His Almighty
Servant, the Branch (Jesus Christ), to remove the iniquity of the land in one,
single day. There will be complete unity and restoration available to all
(Zechariah 3:8-10).
-*Application* The high priest represented here by Joshua,
is the go between holy, righteous God and sinful, depraved man. The ultimate
sacrifice was coming to atone for the iniquity of the people. Christ Jesus
would accomplish in one-single day on the cross of Calvary. God would lay His
burden and penalty for sin, namely death, on Himself when He sent His one and
only Son (His likeness, same essence, different persons) to earth to be the
propitiation for humanity’s sins (John 3:16, Romans 3:23-26, Hebrews 2:17, 1
John 2:2; 4:10). The Branch gives us a picture of the Trinitarian concept here
for us to consider. The Father is the Root and the Vine, His Son the righteous Branch
connected in the unity of essence, but distinct in person. Jesus later relates
the same desire for His people of faith for unity and love in His Spirit (John
15:1-17). Apart from Him we can do nothing. While Satan will try to rattle us
and accuse us, we have a faithful High Priest, a go-between, that will defend
us and deliver us declaring us not guilty if we only trust in Him.
Verse to Memorize:
Zechariah 3:8
No comments:
Post a Comment