Zechariah 3
Read Zechariah 3 (WEB)+
1He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before Yahweh’s angel, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. 2Yahweh said to Satan, “Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Yes, Yahweh who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?” 3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel. 4He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.” 5I said, “Let them set a clean turban on his head.” So they set a clean turban on his head, and clothed him; and Yahweh’s angel was standing by. 6Yahweh’s angel protested to Joshua, saying, 7“Yahweh of Armies says: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by. 8Hear now, Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows who sit before you; for they are men who are a sign: for, behold, I will bring out my servant, the Branch. 9For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave its engraving,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. 10In that day,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘you will invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
“And the LORD said to Satan, 'The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?'”
Zechariah 3:2
Summary
In Zechariah chapter 3, the prophet presents a vision of Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, with Satan accusing him. The Lord rebukes Satan, emphasizing His choice of Jerusalem. Joshua is depicted in filthy garments, representing sin, but his clothes are replaced with pure vestments, symbolizing purification and forgiveness. God promises that if Joshua walks in His ways, he will govern the house and have charge of the courts. The vision introduces the Branch, a messianic figure, and the imagery of the stone with seven eyes, indicating oversight and divine perfection. This chapter underscores God's redemptive plan and the promise of a cleansed, righteous leadership for His people.
Key Themes
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