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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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<h2><a onclick="return mV('Zec',3,'1-');">Zec 3</a> - The Cleansing of Joshua the High Priest</h2>
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<p>A. The vision of the <span class="c6">Lord</span>, Satan, and Joshua the High Priest.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',3,'1-3');">1-3</a>) The Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> stands against Satan on Joshua's behalf.</p>
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<p class="c2">Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span>, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the <span class="c6">Lord</span> said to Satan, "The <span class="c6">Lord</span> rebuke you, Satan! The <span class="c6">Lord</span> who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! <i>Is</i> this not a brand plucked from the fire?" Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Then he showed me Joshua the high priest</span></b>: Joshua was the High Priest at the time (<a onclick="return mV('Hag',1,1);">Hag 1:1</a>). In his vision, Zechariah sees the High Priest in the presence of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> (<b><span class="c3">standing before the Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span></span></b>), and he is <b><span class="c3">clothed with filthy garments</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Standing before the Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span></span></b>: The phrase <b><span class="c3">standing before</span></b> has the idea of priestly service. Joshua isn't in God's presence just as a spectator but as a ministering priest.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him</span></b>: Satan hated the whole scene. He hates it when God's people come into the presence of the <span class="c6">Lord</span>. He hates it when they come into God's presence to minister unto the <span class="c6">Lord</span>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. "Satan must have been pointing to those [filthy clothes] and declaring forcefully that Joshua was unfit to stand before the Lord in this office." (Boice)</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. This is all according to character for <b>Satan</b>. The name "<b><span class="c3">Satan</span></b>" literally means <i>adversary</i> or <i>opponent</i>. He stands against us in spiritual battle (<a onclick="return mV('Eph',6,'10-18');">Eph 6:10-18</a>). If you think it is bad to have Satan as an adversary, would you rather have him as a friend?</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">The <span class="c6">Lord</span> rebuke you, Satan!</span></b> We see the <span class="c6">Lord</span> - either directly, if the Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> is Jesus in this place, or indirectly exercising authority through the Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> - standing before <b><span class="c3">Satan</span></b> and preventing his advance.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. God does allow Satan to attack and harass His people, but He always strictly regulates what Satan is allowed to do. Satan wanted to destroy Simon Peter, sifting him like wheat (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',22,'31-32');">Luk 22:31-32</a>) but Jesus prayed for Peter and stood beside him and did not allow Satan to carry out every evil intention of his heart.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. <span>"Take note that this rebuke comes at the right season. When Satan accuses, Christ pleads. He does not wait till the case has gone against us and then express his regret, but he is always a very present help in time of trouble. He knows the heart of Satan, being omniscient God, and long before Satan can accuse he puts in the demurrer, the blessed plea on our behalf, and stays the action till he gives an answer which silences for ever every accusation." (Spurgeon)</span></p>
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<p class="c5">iii. <b><span class="c3">The <span class="c6">Lord</span> rebuke you</span></b>: <a onclick="return mV('Jud',1,9);">Jud 1:9</a> tells us that Michael the archangel used this same phrase in battling against Satan. The example here of the Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> and of Michael shows us a model for spiritual warfare - that we always should battle with the <span class="c6">Lord</span>'s authority.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">The <span class="c6">Lord</span> who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you</span></b>: With this phrase, God reinforces the important standing of <b><span class="c3">Jerusalem</span></b> in His eyes. As mentioned in <a onclick="return mV('Zec',2,12);">Zec 2:12</a> it is His <i>Holy Land</i>.</p>
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<p class="c4">f. <b><span class="c3">Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?</span></b> Joshua the High Priest had a place of high standing - next to the Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> and protected against Satanic attack. Still, this place of high privilege was not based on Joshua's own goodness or merit; he himself was rescued as a <b><span class="c3">brand plucked from the fire</span></b>. This is even more boldly stated in that Joshua stands <b><span class="c3">clothed in filthy garments</span></b>. Satan had a lot to accuse Joshua of, but Joshua had an even greater advocate in the Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span>.</p>
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<p class="c5"><span>i. A <b><span class="c3">brand</span></b></span> is a burning, burnt, or smoldering piece of wood. Think of a campfire with a blackened, charred chunk of wood smoking in the ashes. It isn't worth much at all and will be consumed completely if it isn't <b><span class="c3">plucked from the fire</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5"><span>ii. "So it is with the child of God. What is he at the best? Till he is taken up to heaven, he is nothing but a brand plucked out of the fire. It is his daily moan that he is a sinner; but Christ accepts him as he is: and he shuts the devil's mouth by telling him, 'Thou sayest this man is black - of course he is: what did I think he was but that? He is a brand plucked out of the fire. I plucked him out of it. He was burning when he was in it: he is black now he is out of it. He was what I knew he would be; he is not what I mean to make him, but he is what I knew he would be. I have chosen him as a brand plucked out of the fire. What hast thou to say to that?' Do observe that this plea did not require a single word to be added to it from Joshua." (Spurgeon)</span></p>
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<p class="c5"><span>iii. </span>"Such is the divine economy, that God makes much of brands, fragments, castaways. What others regard as unworthy of their heed is dear and priceless to the great Lover of souls." (Meyer)</p>
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<p class="c5"><span>iv. "This question, as it appears to me, will bear three renderings; first, it may be looked upon as <i>an exclamation of wonder:</i> 'Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire!' Secondly, <i>as an enquiry or hope:</i> 'Is not <i>this</i> a brand' - this one particularly, 'plucked out of the fire?' And, in the third place, it is certainly <i>a defiance for us, assured of our safety, to throw into the face of Satan, the accuser:</i> 'Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?' " (Spurgeon)</span></p>
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<p class="c5"><span>v. </span>When John Wesley was only six years old, he was trapped in a burning house and was only rescued when one neighbor climbed on another's shoulders and pulled him out of window. A picture of the scene was drawn for Wesley and he kept the drawing until he died, and wrote under it <a onclick="return mV('Zec',3,2);">Zec 3:2</a>: <i>Is this not a brand plucked from the burning?</i></p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',3,'4-5');">4-5</a>) Joshua's iniquity is removed, and is given clean garments.</p>
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<p class="c2">Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes." And I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> stood by.</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Take away the filthy garments from him</span></b>: As Joshua the High Priest stood in the presence of the <span class="c6">Lord</span>, Satan accused him and on seemingly solid grounds - Joshua was guilty of standing before God in <b><span class="c3">filthy garments</span></b>. Nevertheless, the <span class="c6">Lord</span> fixed the problem by cleansing Joshua, taking away the <b><span class="c3">filthy garments</span></b> and the <b><span class="c3">iniquity</span></b> they represented.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The Hebrew word translated <b><span class="c3">filthy</span></b> is "the strongest expression in the Hebrew language for filth of the most vile and loathsome character." (Feinberg, cited in Barker)</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">And I will clothe you with rich robes</span></b>: Joshua not only enjoys having his <b><span class="c3">iniquity</span></b> removed, he also is given a <i>positive</i> righteousness - clothed with <b><span class="c3">rich robes</span></b>. The thought of being clothed by God in righteousness runs from Genesis (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,7);">Gen 3:7</a> and <a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,21);">3:21</a>) to Revelation (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',7,'13-14');">Rev 7:13-14</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Let them put a clean turban on his head</span></b>: The <b><span class="c3">turban</span></b> was part of the High Priest's garments and on the front it had a gold plate inscribed with the phrase <span class="c6">Holiness to the Lord</span> (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',28,'36-38');">Exd 28:36-38</a>).</p>
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<p>B. God's message to Joshua the High Priest.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',3,'6-7');">6-7</a>) A personal admonishment and promise to Joshua.</p>
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<p class="c2">Then the Angel of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> admonished Joshua, saying, "Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts: 'If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, then you shall also judge My house, and likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk among these who stand here.' "</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">If you will walk in My ways and if you will keep my command</span></b>: Joshua in Zechariah's day was admonished much the same way that the first Joshua was admonished. <i>Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Jos',1,7);">Jos 1:7</a>)</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Then you shall also judge My house, and likewise have charge of My courts</span></b>: God promised Joshua that he would indeed continue to serve as High Priest as he was diligent to stay obedient to God.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">I will give you places to walk among these who stand here</span></b>: God promised Joshua privileged access into the presence of God. This isn't a surprising promise for a High Priest, but we have the same promise: <i>Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',4,16);">Hbr 4:16</a>)</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',3,'8-10');">8-10</a>) A prophetic message of Messiah and His reign.</p>
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<p class="c2">"Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, you and your companions who sit before you, for they are a wondrous sign; for behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the <span class="c6">Branch</span>. For behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua: upon the stone <i>are</i> seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its inscription," says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts, "and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day," says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts, "everyone will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree."</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">I am bringing forth My Servant the <span class="c6">Branch</span></span></b>: "<b><span class="cmscap">Branch</span></b>" is used several times as a title for the Messiah (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',4,2);">Isa 4:2</a> and <a onclick="return mV('Isa',11,1);">11:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',23,5);">Jer 23:5</a> and <a onclick="return mV('Jer',33,15);">33:15</a>). The <b><span class="cmscap">Branch</span></b> is associated with fruitfulness and life. Jesus used the same image when He said that He was the vine and we are the branches (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',15,5);">Jhn 15:5</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">For behold, the stone I have laid before Joshua</span></b>: If a branch seems "weak," then God gives us another picture - a <b><span class="c3">stone</span></b>, having <b><span class="c3">seven eyes</span></b>. In the thinking of the ancient world eyes represented knowledge because we learn more through our eyes than any other way. The <b><span class="c3">seven eyes</span></b> speak of the perfection and fullness of the knowledge and wisdom of the Messiah.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">I will engrave its inscription</span></b>: Early Christians saw the engraving on the stone to be a picture of Jesus' wounds but the engraving could also be a mark of identification or beautification.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Everyone will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree</span></b>: This is a proverbial expression that means prosperity and peace (<a onclick="return mV('1Ki',4,25);">1Ki 4:25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ki',18,31);">2Ki 18:31</a>) - ultimately, the peace that the reign of the Messiah brings. This vision and word from Zechariah shows how much God wanted to encourage and strengthen Joshua, and He does it in the best way: setting his eyes on our Messiah, Jesus Christ. That's our best encouragement also.</p>
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