Zechariah 3

The fourth vision centers on Joshua, the high priest in Zechariah’s day.

·        3:1-5: In the vision Joshua stands before the Angel of the LORD with Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), at his right.  The LORD (meaning the Angel of the LORD; again this is common in the OT that when people deal with the Angel of the LORD they are dealing with the LORD Himself) first rebukes Satan, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem; then He calls for Joshua who is in tatters to be clothed with clean clothes.  

o   In these opening verses there is enough explanation for us to understand that this is a picture of Joshua being clothed in the righteousness of the LORD.  I have removed your iniquity the LORD says.  This anticipates the cross of Christ, the only argument that will stand against Satan, but also the argument for which Satan has no answer!  What a grand picture of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Angel of the LORD in OT days, the Priest after the Order of Melchizedek, standing with and for His priest.  The name Joshua is of course the name Jesus in Hebrew: the LORD saves.  Also note that it is Zechariah who pleads that Joshua also receive a clean turban, the last piece of clothing for the priest.  When we are clothed with Christ there is nothing incomplete, nothing missing.

o   Remember also the passage in Haggai, the other prophet, about how some people wept at the sight of this second temple (Hag. 2:3; Ezra 3:12-13).  Joshua likely did not feel as glorious as when Solomon’s temple was built and the priests of that day served in great glory.  

·        3:6-10: Again, there is a further explanation.  Joshua and his fellow-priests are a two-fold sign, first of the Messiah (My Servant the Branch) and then of the eventual salvation of the entire nation (I will remove the iniquity of the land in one day).  

o   Again, do not miss the Godhead in this passage and do not miss Christ. 

§  Christ is the Angel of the LORD. 

§  Christ is the Branch from Jesse’s stem (i.e. David).  Others have called attention to the use of this title for Messiah in the OT and the emphasis of the four Gospels in the NT, as noted in the following chart.

Scripture	Truth About the Branch	Relates to Gospels:
Isa 11:1	Jesse's Stem (David's great Son)	Matthew
Zech 3:8	Servant of Lord	Mark
Zech 6:12	Humanity	Luke
Jer 23:5f	Deity	John

§  Christ is the Stone with seven eyes.  The seven eyes speak of the omniscience of the LORD.  But in addition Messiah is the stumbling block for Israel and the Cornerstone of the Church (1 Peter 2:8).

o   And do not miss the salvation of the nation.  This promise Paul referred to in Romans 11:26-27 where he quotes Isaiah is given in nearly every one of the prophetic books of the OT.  Israel’s days of prosperity will come (v10) but not apart from the spiritual cleansing of Israel (v9).

This picture fits well with the experience of believers today.  As with Joshua, the Messiah is our Advocate, standing with us in defense against the attack of the evil one (e.g. 1 John 2:1-2).  And this all stems from the fact that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.  So it will be for Israel when all Israel is saved. 

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in My God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)