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.
The third chapter of the book of Zechariah is a profound passage in the Old Testament of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. It is a chapter filled with rich symbolic imagery, prophetic visions, and profound spiritual insights. This chapter is not merely a historical account, but it offers deep and meaningful spiritual lessons for believers today. The main themes of this chapter include spiritual restoration, the concept of cleansing from sin, the high priestly office, and the anticipation of the coming Messiah. This essay aims to delve into these themes and provide an in-depth understanding of their significance.
The chapter begins with a prophetic vision of Joshua the High Priest standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan standing at his right hand to resist him (Zechariah 3:1). This scene is symbolic of the spiritual warfare that takes place in the heavenly realms. "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." (Zechariah 3:1, KJV). The figure of Joshua should not be confused with the titular character of the book of Joshua; instead, this Joshua is a representation of the post-exilic priesthood in Jerusalem.
The presence of Satan in this vision represents the spiritual opposition that the people of God often face. Satan, whose name means "adversary" or "accuser", is depicted as standing at Joshua's right hand, a position often associated with accusation in the biblical context. His aim is to resist and accuse Joshua, thereby hindering the work of God. However, God rebukes Satan, affirming His sovereign authority and His ability to carry out His redemptive plan despite opposition.
In Zechariah's vision, Joshua is seen wearing filthy garments, which in the biblical context, are symbolic of sin and unrighteousness. "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel." (Zechariah 3:3, KJV). The filthy garments represent the sin and guilt of the people of Israel, with Joshua, as the high priest, bearing these on their behalf. This image underscores the magnitude of sin and its ability to separate us from a holy God.
But God, in His infinite mercy and grace, commands that Joshua's filthy garments be removed and replaced with rich robes. This act is a powerful representation of God's forgiveness and cleansing from sin. "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." (Zechariah 3:4, KJV). The change of raiment signifies the transformation that occurs when we experience God's forgiveness and are cleansed from our sins.
The chapter also contains a powerful messianic promise. The angel of the Lord gives Joshua a charge and promises that if he walks in God's ways and keeps His commandments, he will judge God's house and keep His courts. Furthermore, God promises to bring forth His servant, the Branch. "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." (Zechariah 3:8, KJV). This Branch is a prophetic reference to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The promise of the Branch is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, referring to a descendant of David who would establish a righteous and everlasting kingdom. This promise was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who, according to the New Testament, is the true High Priest who takes away the sin of the world and brings humanity into a right relationship with God.
In addition, the chapter speaks of a stone laid before Joshua with seven eyes, which is engraved with an inscription. "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." (Zechariah 3:9, KJV). This stone is another messianic symbol, representing Christ, the cornerstone of the church. The seven eyes on the stone symbolize God's omniscience, indicating that nothing is hidden from His sight.
The engraving on the stone signifies the work of Christ on the cross, through which He took away the sin of the world. The prophecy that God will remove the iniquity of the land in one day foreshadows the day of Christ's crucifixion, when the sin of humanity was dealt with once and for all.
In conclusion, Zechariah chapter 3 is a rich tapestry of prophetic visions and spiritual truths. It offers a profound narrative of redemption, from the depiction of sin and guilt symbolized by Joshua's filthy garments, to the promise of forgiveness and cleansing through the change of raiment, and finally, the anticipation of the coming Messiah who would take away the sin of the world.
This chapter reminds us of the depth of God's love and mercy towards us, His ability to cleanse and restore us, and His sovereign plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. It invites us to reflect on our own sinfulness, to rejoice in God's forgiveness, and to look forward to the fulfilment of God's promises in Christ. Indeed, Zechariah chapter 3 is a testament to the overarching narrative of the Bible - a story of redemption, hope, and the unfailing love of God.
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