Book of Zechariah

Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024

CHAPTER 3

High Priest Joshua following the captivity

Zechariah 3:1-5

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him.

And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre (HEAD-DRESS) upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

The High Priest is seen in this vision being accused before the throne by Satan.  The priesthood had been guilty of so much sin against God and had been chastised by God. An image of being cleansed and starting a fresh.

Zechariah 3:6-8a

And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at…

The priests are still looked upon by the people and should recognize that in living the example before them.

Promise of the coming Messiah

Zechariah 3:8b

…for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

The promise of the Messiah -(see later in Chapter 6:12).

Zechariah 3:9a

For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes:

The “seven eyes” are mentioned again later in Chapter 4:10.

Zechariah 3:9b-10

…behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In just the time it takes for one day to come and go; God will remove ALL the iniquity of the land! In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

It will take less than 24 hours for God to remove sin.  In “that day”, the day of His Return.  Discussed starting in Chapter 12. That same day “everyone” will be friends.