3:1Jeshua was Israel’s high priest when the remnant returned to Jerusalem and began rebuilding the walls (Haggai 1:1, 12: 2:4).
Life Application Study BibleZechariahChapter 3
Zechariah 3
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1504, 1505, 1506
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3Zechariah 3
1Jeshua. 2And the LORD said to Satan, “I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.” 3Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. 4So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” 5Then I said, 6They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the LORD stood by. sThen the angel of the LORD spoke very solemnly to Jeshua and said, 7“ This is what the as 344 LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then youwillbe sa 62:9 given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here. 8Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols 38 of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. 9Now look at the 552 2 B18 1H; jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets.* Iwill engrave an inscrip- #25255, tion on it, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land ina Zech 6:12 single day. 9510 4.05 10“ And on that day, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, each of you will invite your neigh- Mica bor to sit with you peacefully under your own grapevine and fig tree.”
A Lampstand and Two Olive Trees
Then the angel who had been talking with me returned and woke me, as though I had
Textual footnotes
- 3:1a Hebrew Joshua, a variant spelling of Jeshua; also in 3:3, 4, 6, 8, 9.
- 3:1b Hebrew The satan; similarly in 3:2.
Life Application Notes 5 notes
3:1-3Satan accused Jeshua, who here represents the nation of Israel. The accusations were accurate—Jeshua stood in “filthy” clothes (sins). Yet God revealed his mercy, stating that he chose to save his people in spite of their sin. Satan is always accusing people of their sins before God (Job 1:6). But he greatly misunderstands the breadth of God’s mercy and forgiveness toward those who believe in him. Satan the Accuser will ultimately be destroyed (Revelation 12:10), while everyone who is a believer will be saved (John 3:16). To be prepared, we can ask God to remove our clothing of sin and dress us with his goodness.
3:2God punished Judah through the fire of great trials, but he rescued the nation before it was completely destroyed, like “a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”
3:2-4Zechariah’s vision graphically portrays how we receive God's mercy. We do nothing ourselves. God removes our filthy clothes (sins), then provides us with fine, new clothes (the righteousness and holiness of God—2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:24; Revelation 19:8). All we need to do is repent and ask God to forgive us. When Satan tries to make you feel dirty and unworthy, remember that the clean clothes of Christ’s righteousness make you worthy to draw near to God.
3:5-7The Greek name for Jeshua is Jesus, meaning “the LORD saves.” He is seen here as a symbol of Jesus, the Messiah.
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Study feature · page 1505
ZECHARIAH’S VISIONS
Reference 1:7-17
Vision Zechariah sees messengers reporting to God that the surrounding nations that have oppressed Judah are living in careless and sinful ease. Zechariah sees four horns, representing the four world powers that oppressed and scattered the people of Judah and Israel. Then he sees four blacksmiths who will throw down the horns. Zechariah sees a man measuring the city of Jerusalem. The city will one day be full of people, and God himself will be a wall around the city. Zechariah sees Jeshua the high priest standing before God. Jeshua’s filthy clothes are exchanged for fine new clothes; Satan’s accusations against him are rejected by God. Zechariah sees a lampstand that is continually kept burning by an unlimited reservoir of oil. This picture reminds the people that it is only through God’s Spirit that they will succeed, not by their own might and resources. Zechariah sees a flying scroll, which represents God's curse.
Significance Israel was asking, “Why isn’t God punishing the wicked?” Wicked nations may prosper, but not forever. God will bring upon them the judgment they deserve. God will do what he promised. After the evil nations have carried out his will in punishing his people, God will destroy these nations for their sin. The city will be restored in God’s future Kingdom. God will keep his promise to protect his people. The story of Jeshua the high priest pictures how the filthy clothes of sin are replaced with the pure linen of God's righteousness. Christ has taken our clothes of sin and replaced them with God’s righteousness. (See Ephesians 4:24; 1 John 1:9.) The Spirit of God is given without measure. Human effort does not make a difference. The work of God is not accomplished in human strength.
1:18-21
2:1-13
3:1-10
4:1-14
By God's word and Spirit, every person will be judged. The individual’s sin is the focus here, not the sins of the nation. God’s curse is a symbol of destruction; all sin will be judged and removed. Sins of the individual were judged in the last vision (5:1-4); now sin is being removed from society. Sin has to be eradicated in order to clean up the nation and the individual. Judgment will come upon those who oppress God’s people—it will come in God’s time and at his command.
5:1-4
Zechariah sees a vision of a woman in a basket. She represents the wickedness of the nations. The angel packed the woman back into the basket and sent her back to Babylon. Zechariah sees a vision of four horses and chariots. The horses represent God's judgment on the world—one is sent north, the direction from which most of Judah’s enemies came. The other horses are patrolling the world, ready to execute judgment at God’s command.
5:5-11
6:1-8