Zechariah · chapter 3 of 14
Updated on
Zechariah 3 shows in a vision the high priest Joshua before the angel of the Lord, with Satan at his right hand to accuse him. The Lord rebukes Satan, removes Joshua's filthy garments, clothes him in rich robes and a clean turban, and promises him office and access if he is faithful. It also announces that his servant the Branch will come and that he will remove the guilt of the land in a single day.
Zechariah's fourth vision focuses on Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest who led temple service during the rebuilding. By representing the whole people before God, Joshua stands for the book's underlying question: how can a people with past sins approach the Lord? The answer is grace that cleanses, not merit.
Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan at his right hand to accuse him. The Lord says to Satan that he rebukes him and that he has chosen Jerusalem; Joshua is a brand plucked from the fire. Joshua is dressed in filthy clothes before the angel. The angel tells those standing before him to take off the filthy clothes, and says to Joshua that he has removed his iniquity and will clothe him in rich garments.
Zechariah asks that a clean turban be put on his head, and they do so, clothe him, and the angel of the Lord stands by. Then the angel warns Joshua: if he walks in the Lord's ways and keeps his charge, he will rule his house, guard his courts and have a place among those who stand before the Lord.
The angel addresses Joshua and his fellow priests, who are men who are a sign: the Lord will bring his servant the Branch. Before Joshua is a stone with seven eyes, and the Lord will engrave its inscription and remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. On that day, everyone will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
The Lord rebukes Satan and reminds him that he has chosen Jerusalem; Joshua is a brand plucked from the fire. The defense comes from God himself, who saves one who could not defend himself.
The angel orders the filthy clothes removed and declares that he has taken away Joshua's guilt, to clothe him in rich robes. It is a clear picture of forgiveness: the cleansing comes from God and not from Joshua's effort.
The Lord announces that he will bring his servant the Branch. This title is used in the prophets for the descendant of David who will reign, and Christians see it fulfilled in Jesus.
The Lord promises to remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. The stone with seven eyes speaks of the Lord's complete gaze, and the promise points to a definitive cleansing, which Christians link to the work of Christ.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Satan, the accuser. — Zechariah 3:1
Answer: As a brand plucked from the fire. — Zechariah 3:2
Answer: They are taken off and he is dressed in rich robes. — Zechariah 3:4
Answer: A clean turban. — Zechariah 3:5
Answer: That he will rule his house, guard his courts and have access before him. — Zechariah 3:7
Answer: His servant the Branch. — Zechariah 3:8
Zechariah 3 is a picture of grace. Joshua does not cleanse himself: others take off his filthy clothes and dress him. In a class or small group you can talk about how accusation, inner or outer, is met with what God has already done and not with attempts to justify ourselves.
The chapter also shows that grace leads to a new life: the Lord calls Joshua to walk in his ways and keep his charge. Those who have been cleansed receive access and responsibility, and can serve without the weight of past guilt.
Zechariah 3 announces that sin is removed by God's work and that the Branch will come. In chapter 4 the vision turns to the rebuilding: a golden lampstand with two olive trees, and the promise that the work will be done not by strength but by the Lord's Spirit.
The Hebrew word means accuser or adversary. In this vision he acts like a prosecutor before God's court. The Lord rebukes him, which shows that his accusation does not have the last word. Job 1 and 2 present a similar scene.
It is a messianic title in the Old Testament for the descendant of David (Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 6:12). Here he is called the Lord's servant. Christians see it fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
The text does not fully explain it. The seven eyes are usually understood as the Lord's complete attention on his house (Zechariah 4:10). Some think of a stone of the temple or the crown, and others of a picture of the Messiah.