Israel Cleansed

A study on Zechariah

Israel Cleansed

Zechariah 3:1-10

Theme: God cleanses Israel from their uncleanness.

Introduction: Have you ever thought about how much is happening in heaven we don’t even realize? For instance, what does God think about the things going in our world? How does God view where the work of missions is in our world and what would be His greatest concern?

Here in this passage God gives us insight into His people and what the future is going to look like. This is a very interesting scene spelled out here for us.

As we know the remnant has returned from the Babylonian captivity and they are to rebuild the temple. This momentous task was discouraging at times and God is leading them in the process through His prophet. God has sent a message for them to be cleansed and right before Him.

God notifies them about the need for cleansing and also the provision for cleansing.

I. The indictment vv. 1-3

This heavenly scene is very interesting; Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest of the restoration who returned with Zerubbabel from Babylon. The Angel of the Lord is the preincarnate Christ-already introduced in 1:11-12; Satan the accuser.

There is also attending angels (standing before Joshua), and the prophet Zechariah. Since Satan is there, he is a living reality not a figment of man’s imagination.

The first three visions dealt with Israel’s physical side of tribulation and the next five will deal with the moral and spiritual influence in their lives.

A. The accused v. 1

1. Joshua in this courtroom scene is the defendant and God is the judge. Satan is the prosecuting attorney and Jesus Christ is the defense attorney, the Advocate of God’s people before the holy throne of God

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1–2)

2. Joshua is clothed with filth garments which represents the sin of the nation. He represents the sinfulness of the people.

B. The accuser v. 2

1. Satan is the accuser-he is the one who accuses believers before the throne of God

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” (Revelation 12:10)

2. God’s throne is a place of justice and righteousness.

3. Satan comes to cast accusations against God’s people as seen even in the book of Job.

4. Be careful that you are not guilty of accusing someone of something that is not true and that you don’t listen to accusations that others bring. They may be influenced by Satan himself.

C. The accusation v. 3

1. Since this throne is a place of justice, Satan is accusing mankind of their sin and their disobedience.

2. It has been said: “When Satan talks to us about God, he lies, but when he talks to God about us, he tells the truth.

3. This accusation of sin is true but we have Christ as our High Priest interceding for us and giving us grace we need for life and service.

4. Christ our High Priest represents us before the throne of God.

5. The Father and the Son both love us and wants the best for us, but God can’t ignore our sins and still be a holy God.

6. This is the reason the Jews were a “brand plucked out of the fire v.2)-Israel’s suffering is compared to going through the fire.

7. When Israel goes through the Tribulation in the end times, it will be an experience of refining Zech. 13:9

II. The cleansing vv. 4-5

A. Removal of sin v. 4a.

1. The defiled garment is be taken away which points to the removal of sin-means forgiveness.

2. This reminds us of when we have accepted Christ, He forgave us of our sins.

3. This also points the need of being right with God in our fellowship with Him by confessing our sins I Joh 1:9.

4. The blood of Jesus Christ removes us from our sin and here Israel is told that only the Messiah can take away our sin.

B. Clothing of righteousness vv. 4b-5

1. God in His grace clothes us with His clothes of righteousness.

2. Adam and Eve tried to hide their guilt under the garments of their own making but only the garments of Christ’s righteousness can take care of our sin.

3. The best part of forgiveness and robing us in Christ’s righteousness is when a special turban is placed on Joshua’s head-on the front is written Holiness to the Lord.

4. It was this that made him, the people, and their gifts acceptable to the Lord.

5. There are not many ways of cleansing-there is only One Way through Jesus.

III. The restoration vv. 6-10

The Lord Jesus Christ gave a charge to Joshua because of the cleansing which brings responsibility. Joshua and his fellow priests weren’t on probation: they were cleansed and restored to service. However, their service to God is dependent on their faithfulness to God and to His Word. It is a privilege to the serve the Lord, and we must not take it for granted.

A. The call to right living vv. 6-7

1. God wants His people to be obedient an walk in His ways.

2. The challenge here is to live right before God and the nations around them.

3. God will do great things in their lives if they are obedient.

4. He will have them continue in the service of the temple, guard the temple from idolatry, and receive a standing or free access to God just as the angels.

B. The Messiah will come vv. 8-9

1. The ultimate servant is Jesus who is called the branch.

2. This is an image of the Messiah found in the prophets

“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:1–2)

3. He is called my Servant meaning He belongs to God and is sent from God.

4. Branch of righteousness raised up for David

“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” (Jeremiah 23:5)

“In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” (Jeremiah 33:15)

5. The stone is another image of the Messiah found often in the Scriptures.

C. The new world v. 10

1. The world will be under the rule and reign of the Messiah.

2. All will come together with peace and harmony.

3. Describes for us when Jews and Gentiles will come together in the millennial reign of the Messiah.

Conclusion: God reminds us cleansing comes only from God. Man’s efforts are weak and insufficient, only by Jesus can a man be cleansed. This is also when it comes to a nation.