Zechariah 3
The Prophet’s Fourth Vision: Joshua and The Branch
Zechariah’s fourth vision confirmed God’s continued desire to demonstrate His glory through His chosen people. Though they had rebelled, they had not been rejected. God had not forsaken them or forgotten them in Babylon. He would rebuke Israel’s accuser, rescue His beloved, and keep His promise to cleanse them through the ministry of the Messiah.
This vision presents Israel’s restoration as a high priestly nation. - Thomas Constable
Accusation
Vs. 1 - Then he showed me the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord
Joshua
Zechariah then has a vision in which he sees Satan accuse the high priest Joshua (and therefore the people he represents) of being unclean. Because of their long exile in idolatrous Babylon, they are no longer fit to enter God’s presence. In other words, Satan is hinting that the people are wasting their time building the temple. Since they are unclean, no sacrifices that they offer there will be acceptable to God. - Don Fleming
Joshua, Israel’s high priest, represents Israel in this vision, specifically Israel in her divinely appointed role as a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6). Similarly, Israel’s high priest represented the nation each year on the day of Atonement. - Thomas Constable
Satan
Vs. 1 - with Satan standing at his right side to accuse him
Satan, the great enemy of God and His people in scripture, appears in this vision to bring accusations, perhaps of unworthiness, against Joshua (Israel). This is one of two instances in the Bible where he is described in this way.
Revelation 12:10 - the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down.
A Burning Stick
Vs. 2 - The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! May the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”
If Joshua represents Israel, then the fire must refer to the Babylonian captivity from which Israel had come almost destroyed, and the stick refers to the surviving remnant. - Thomas Constable
Through His prophet, God was reminding His people that, though they had been punished, they had also been preserved. God had not forsaken them or forgotten them in Babylon. He would continue to rebuke her accusers and to rescue His beloved.
Cleansing
Vs. 4 - So the angel of the Lord spoke to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with festive robes.”
The priest’s filthy clothes are believed to represent Israel’s sinful condition before God after her Babylonian captivity. God’s people needed preservation and pardon so that they could return to the promised land and resume their role as a priestly people, representing Yaweh to the nations.
Obedience
Vs. 6 - If you walk in my ways and keep my mandates, you will both rule my house and take care of my courts
There was conditional covenant language in Zechariah’s description of how the priest “Joshua” was called to obey God’s laws in order to receive God’s blessings. Ultimately, the Messiah would come to fulfill this calling and to completely obey where Israel failed.
Salvation
Vs. 8 - I am about to bring my servant, the Branch.
Vs. 9 - Notice the stone I have set before Joshua
Most commentators see a Messianic promise in Zechariah’s use of “the Branch” and “my Servant” and “the stone” to describe how God will bring cleansing and blessing to His people.
My Servant
Isaiah 42:1 - “This is my servant; I strengthen him, this is my chosen one; I delight in him. I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring justice to the nations.
Isaiah 53:11 - After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities.
The Branch
Jeremiah 23:5 - “Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will raise up a Righteous Branch for David. He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land.
Jeremiah 33:15 - In those days and at that time I will cause a Righteous Branch to sprout up for David, and he will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
The Stone
Psalm 118:21-22 - I will give thanks to you because you have answered me and have become my salvation.The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Isaiah 28:16 - Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable.
Blessing
Vs. 9-10 - I will take away the iniquity of this land in a single day. On that day, each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree. This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.
God promised forgiveness and peace to the remnant of Israel emerging from years of captivity. Through the ministry of the Messiah (Servant, Branch, Stone), they would know ultimate salvation.
