3,4 The Ultimate Goal, Zechariah 3,1-10
The Ultimate Goal
Zechariah 3:1-10
3/4/07am
Until this time, nothing had been done about Israel’s sin.
(Verses in NAS)
Proposition—Each person needs to be sure that they are taking the proper steps to reach the intended goal.
Question—What are some of the steps that we will make before we reach our final goal?
Unifying Word—STEPS
I. The Accusation—vs1-2
a) The Satan-(Vs1)“-Joshua the high priest”- the high priest was the nations representative before God. He and he alone could enter into the holy of holies once a year on the day of atonement. This could be done only after the blood of sacrificial animals was shed. The important issue here is NOT the individual Joshua, but the position he held as high priest. He represented the whole household of Israel.
-standing before the angel of the LORD,- the angle of the Lord brought messages of good, of threatenings and deliverance. He had the intercession of God among men.
-and 1bSatan standing at his right hand to accuse(satan him) him.-
“Satan”- this word is not a name, but a title!!
Satan accused Joshua of standing before God with filthy garments. To “accuse” is to oppose or to resist.
b) The Defender- 2 And the LORD said to Satan, a"The LORD rebuke you, Satan! –Israel had a defender, Jehovah God Himself.
Indeed, the LORD who has bchosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a cbrand plucked from the fire?"—The image is that of Israel being delivered from God’s punishment while suffering Babylonian captivity. The picture is that of God delivering Israel from the fiery ordeal.
“Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love”
II. The Restoration—Vs3-5
a) Admit-- 3 Now Joshua was clothed with afilthy garments and standing before the angel. The high priest was “dirty, foul odored. He was a picture of Israel’s sinful state. the robes represented the sin and uncleanness of the nation of Israel. A picture of a garment filled with excrement, ceremonially unclean. Like Job in Job 7:5 “clothed with worms”, showing his unhappy state.
b) Justification--4 And he spoke and said to those who were standing before him saying,
--a"Remove the filthy garments from him."--This is a picture of “justification”. None of us can do anything to remove our sins.
c) Sanctification-to be set apart to a sacred purpose, to be holy-
-Again he said to him, "See, I have btaken your iniquity away from you and 1will cclothe you with festal robes." -
5 Then I said, "Let them put a clean aturban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by.
Note vs5—“Zechariah now speaks!!”- He requested a clean turban be put on Joshua’s head. This probably referred to the headdress of the high priest in Ex 28:36-38.
What about our new attire in Eph 6!!
III. The Commission—Vs6-7
6 And the angel of the LORD admonished Joshua saying, -the angel “declared” unto Joshua that the end of the priesthood is for the people, pure worship and God’s honor.
We have a great commission given to us as well. It is not just about us, but about our God!!
Here is the Charge--7 "Thus says the LORD of hosts,
'If you will awalk in My ways- describes the personal attitude of the priest toward God
and if you will perform My service,- performance of the priestly duties
then you will also bgovern My house- have continued service in the temple
and also have charge of My ccourts,- guard the temple from idolatry and other defilements
and I will grant you 1free access among these who are standing here. –perhaps referring to Joshua’s free access to God comparable to that of the angels.
IV. The Expectation—Vs8-10
8 'Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you-- indeed they are men who are a asymbol, –this was a call to attention for the high priest and Joshua’s fellows.
-“your friends”==refers to the ordinary priests that ministered with Joshua.
“wondrered at”== a sign or symbol. They are types of what is to come.
--for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the 1bBranch.- this moves us through the centuries to the coming Redeemer, Jesus.
9 ‘For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are aseven eyes. Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘and I will bremove the iniquity of that land in one day.
-“stone”==Jesus, our cornerstone!
“eyes”—the watchful eyes of Jehovah’s care—The “Eye” is the symbol of Providence and seven ==perfection!! God’s watchful providence.
10 'In that day,' declares the LORD of hosts, 'every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his avine and under his fig tree.'" –this is an emblem of tranquil prosperity.—Spiritual peace with God through Christ! Sitting under the vine and fig tree is an OT way of expressing peace.
This passage sets forth the fact that Israel will at long last recognize her Messiah and receive Him.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1).
Are you on the right path? Do your garments look like those of the high priest before he changed?