Vision of the High Priest
“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 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 Lord stood by.
The Coming Branch
Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, “Thus says the Lord 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. ‘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 BRANCH.
For behold, the stone That I have laid before Joshua: upon the stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘Everyone will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree.’ ”
Feel overwhelmed and discouraged? You’re not alone. The Jews of Zechariah’s time are also feeling downhearted. Is there righteous leadership anywhere? Now God is showing Zechariah how He proposes to handle Joshua the high priest. “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 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 Lord stood by.” What an incredible encouragement for Joshua as well as for the other believers! God is protecting the high priest’s chest/heart, and his head/mind.
If we are honest with ourselves, we realize that we fall far short of God’s holiness and glory many times a day. And every single time, Satan is right there reminding us of our shortcomings. In this passage, Satan is standing ready to accuse Joshua; however, God cleanses Joshua and delivers him from Satan’s attacks. God then goes on to clothe Joshua with rich robes and a clean turban – all signs of Joshua’s priesthood. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” God can do for us just what He is doing for Joshua the high priest in this vision if we will only confess our sins and and ask God to cleanse us.
As if this is not enough, God then goes on to promise wonderful things. “Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, “Thus says the Lord 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. ‘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 BRANCH.
For behold, the stone That I have laid before Joshua: upon the stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘Everyone will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree.’ ”
The Branch mentioned is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who eventually does come in the fullness of time. The stone with the seven eyes is a symbol of God’s watch care. God is promising to remove the iniquity of Judah, to watch over it, and to restore the land to complete peace. Neighbors will gather together in fellowship without fear of attack. This promise has yet to be fulfilled in modern Israel, which receives several hundred rocket attacks daily.
APPLICATION: Who doesn’t want to be free from the sins that weigh us down? Who doesn’t want peace? None of us is free from hassles; we all have problems we’re facing. No matter how many different ways we try to find comfort, only God can actually give us peace. Jesus the Messiah is the Branch from the House of David who has come to free us from our sins and to give us peace. Let’s pray.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, all of us have problems in our lives and all of us need peace. Only You can truly give everlasting peace. Lord, apply Your healing power to the lives of all who are reading these words. Give us Your peace. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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