Zechariah 3: A Vision of Cleansing, Challenge, and the Coming Branch
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.
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?
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
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.
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.
And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying,
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.
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.
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.
In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
Zechariah 3 offers a powerful vision, rich with symbolism and profound implications for both its original audience and believers today. This chapter centers on Joshua, the High Priest after the return from exile (Haggai 1:1, 12, 14; 2:2, 4), and his encounter with divine grace amidst accusation. Understanding this vision unlocks key insights into God's redemptive plan and the role of the coming Messiah.
Joshua Before the Angel of the LORD
Zechariah 3:1 opens with Joshua standing before the angel of the LORD. This is no ordinary courtroom scene. It's a cosmic drama playing out, with eternal consequences. But there is also an accuser, Satan, standing at Joshua's right hand. The Hebrew word "Satan" means "adversary," and here it functions as a proper name for the malevolent being known throughout Scripture as "the evil one" (Matthew 6:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:3), "the devil," "the ancient serpent," and "the great dragon" (Revelation 12:9). This being, once a righteous angel who rebelled against God (see commentary on Isaiah 14:1-23), now leads a rival "kingdom" in opposition to God (Matthew 12:26). He's "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4), "the ruler of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2), and "the one who deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). Remember his temptation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-5)? He continues to tempt us today, seeking to hinder God's work (Mark 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:18).
One of Satan's primary tactics is accusation. He is "the accuser of our brothers and sisters," who accuses them "before our God day and night" (Revelation 12:10). We see this in the book of Job (Job 1:9-11; 2:4-5), and now again in Zechariah. He stands ready to highlight Joshua's imperfections and disqualify him from his sacred role.
The LORD's Rebuke and Cleansing
In Zechariah 3:2-7, despite Satan's accusations, the Lord intervenes, rebuking the adversary and declaring, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" (Zechariah 3:2). This powerful statement underscores God's sovereign choice and His redemptive work in rescuing Joshua and, by extension, the remnant of Israel from the fires of exile.
Joshua's filthy clothes (Zechariah 3:3) are a visible symbol of his sin and the sin of the people he represents. They illustrate the defilement that separates humanity from God. However, the angel of the LORD commands, "Take off his filthy clothes!" (Zechariah 3:4), signifying the removal of iniquity and the imputation of righteousness. He is then clothed with festive robes and a clean turban (Zechariah 3:5), representing purity, honor, and renewed dignity. This act of divine cleansing is a powerful picture of God's grace and forgiveness.
Following this cleansing, Joshua is charged with a responsibility (Zechariah 3:7): to walk in God's ways, keep His mandates, and rule His house (the temple). This highlights the reciprocal nature of grace. God's forgiveness empowers and calls us to obedience and faithful service.
While Satan is "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44), it's crucial to acknowledge that sometimes, when he points out our sin, his accusations are correct. The beauty of the Gospel lies in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross, which forgives believers and sets them free from the slavery of sin. Despite Satan's constant accusations, Christians "have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 12:10-11). Empowered by Christ's cleansing blood, we can fulfill the kingdom tasks God sets before us. To access His kingdom power and be restored to our kingdom position and purpose, we must repent, walk in His ways, and keep His mandates (Zechariah 3:7). This is the appropriate response to God's grace (see Luke 22:31-32; cf. John 21:15-17).
The Promise of the Branch
Zechariah 3:8 introduces a pivotal messianic prophecy. The cleansing of Joshua and his fellow priests serves as a sign that God is about to bring forth His servant, "the Branch" (see also Zechariah 6:12). This is a clear reference to the Messiah, the promised King from the line of David.
The Old Testament is filled with promises of a Davidic king who would establish an eternal throne and kingdom (2 Samuel 7:11-16; 1 Chronicles 17:10-14). However, the failures of many Davidic kings led to God's judgment and the exile of Judah. Yet, God did not abandon His promise. He declared, "A shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse [David's father], and a branch from his roots will bear fruit" (Isaiah 11:1). Even after the "ax" of God's judgment, the stump remained, and from it would emerge "the Branch of the LORD" (Isaiah 4:2), the Messiah.
Zechariah 3:9-10 further connects the restoration of the priesthood with the coming of the Branch. The priests' return from exile and their service before the Lord are a tangible sign that the messianic King will come. When He establishes His kingdom on earth, He will take away the iniquity of Israel and grant it peace and prosperity.
Implications for Today
Zechariah 3 is not just a historical account; it's a living word that speaks to us today. It reminds us of the following:
- The reality of spiritual warfare: We have an adversary who seeks to accuse and hinder us.
- The power of God's grace: God's forgiveness and cleansing are available to all who trust in Jesus Christ.
- The importance of obedience: God's grace empowers us to live lives of obedience and service.
- The hope of the Messiah: Jesus Christ, the Branch, is the fulfillment of God's promises and the source of our salvation and hope.
Let us, therefore, stand firm in our faith, knowing that we have an advocate in Jesus Christ who intercedes for us and empowers us to overcome the accusations of the enemy and live lives that are pleasing to God.
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.
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?
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
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.
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.
And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying,
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.
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.
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.
In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
Zechariah 3 offers a powerful vision, rich with symbolism and profound implications for both its original audience and believers today. This chapter centers on Joshua, the High Priest after the return from exile (Haggai 1:1, 12, 14; 2:2, 4), and his encounter with divine grace amidst accusation. Understanding this vision unlocks key insights into God's redemptive plan and the role of the coming Messiah.
Joshua Before the Angel of the LORD
Zechariah 3:1 opens with Joshua standing before the angel of the LORD. This is no ordinary courtroom scene. It's a cosmic drama playing out, with eternal consequences. But there is also an accuser, Satan, standing at Joshua's right hand. The Hebrew word "Satan" means "adversary," and here it functions as a proper name for the malevolent being known throughout Scripture as "the evil one" (Matthew 6:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:3), "the devil," "the ancient serpent," and "the great dragon" (Revelation 12:9). This being, once a righteous angel who rebelled against God (see commentary on Isaiah 14:1-23), now leads a rival "kingdom" in opposition to God (Matthew 12:26). He's "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4), "the ruler of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2), and "the one who deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). Remember his temptation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-5)? He continues to tempt us today, seeking to hinder God's work (Mark 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:18).
One of Satan's primary tactics is accusation. He is "the accuser of our brothers and sisters," who accuses them "before our God day and night" (Revelation 12:10). We see this in the book of Job (Job 1:9-11; 2:4-5), and now again in Zechariah. He stands ready to highlight Joshua's imperfections and disqualify him from his sacred role.
The LORD's Rebuke and Cleansing
In Zechariah 3:2-7, despite Satan's accusations, the Lord intervenes, rebuking the adversary and declaring, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" (Zechariah 3:2). This powerful statement underscores God's sovereign choice and His redemptive work in rescuing Joshua and, by extension, the remnant of Israel from the fires of exile.
Joshua's filthy clothes (Zechariah 3:3) are a visible symbol of his sin and the sin of the people he represents. They illustrate the defilement that separates humanity from God. However, the angel of the LORD commands, "Take off his filthy clothes!" (Zechariah 3:4), signifying the removal of iniquity and the imputation of righteousness. He is then clothed with festive robes and a clean turban (Zechariah 3:5), representing purity, honor, and renewed dignity. This act of divine cleansing is a powerful picture of God's grace and forgiveness.
Following this cleansing, Joshua is charged with a responsibility (Zechariah 3:7): to walk in God's ways, keep His mandates, and rule His house (the temple). This highlights the reciprocal nature of grace. God's forgiveness empowers and calls us to obedience and faithful service.
While Satan is "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44), it's crucial to acknowledge that sometimes, when he points out our sin, his accusations are correct. The beauty of the Gospel lies in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross, which forgives believers and sets them free from the slavery of sin. Despite Satan's constant accusations, Christians "have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 12:10-11). Empowered by Christ's cleansing blood, we can fulfill the kingdom tasks God sets before us. To access His kingdom power and be restored to our kingdom position and purpose, we must repent, walk in His ways, and keep His mandates (Zechariah 3:7). This is the appropriate response to God's grace (see Luke 22:31-32; cf. John 21:15-17).
The Promise of the Branch
Zechariah 3:8 introduces a pivotal messianic prophecy. The cleansing of Joshua and his fellow priests serves as a sign that God is about to bring forth His servant, "the Branch" (see also Zechariah 6:12). This is a clear reference to the Messiah, the promised King from the line of David.
The Old Testament is filled with promises of a Davidic king who would establish an eternal throne and kingdom (2 Samuel 7:11-16; 1 Chronicles 17:10-14). However, the failures of many Davidic kings led to God's judgment and the exile of Judah. Yet, God did not abandon His promise. He declared, "A shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse [David's father], and a branch from his roots will bear fruit" (Isaiah 11:1). Even after the "ax" of God's judgment, the stump remained, and from it would emerge "the Branch of the LORD" (Isaiah 4:2), the Messiah.
Zechariah 3:9-10 further connects the restoration of the priesthood with the coming of the Branch. The priests' return from exile and their service before the Lord are a tangible sign that the messianic King will come. When He establishes His kingdom on earth, He will take away the iniquity of Israel and grant it peace and prosperity.
Implications for Today
Zechariah 3 is not just a historical account; it's a living word that speaks to us today. It reminds us of the following:
- The reality of spiritual warfare: We have an adversary who seeks to accuse and hinder us.
- The power of God's grace: God's forgiveness and cleansing are available to all who trust in Jesus Christ.
- The importance of obedience: God's grace empowers us to live lives of obedience and service.
- The hope of the Messiah: Jesus Christ, the Branch, is the fulfillment of God's promises and the source of our salvation and hope.
Let us, therefore, stand firm in our faith, knowing that we have an advocate in Jesus Christ who intercedes for us and empowers us to overcome the accusations of the enemy and live lives that are pleasing to God.