Zechariah 3

Joshua, the High Priest

1 Then the guiding angel showed me Joshua the high priest [representing disobedient, sinful Israel] standing before the *3:1 "Angel" has been capitalized here to reflect the likelihood that it is God appearing in a visible form (see note Gen 16:7).Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at Joshua’s right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Even the Lord, who [now and ever] has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is this not a *3:2 The log represents the returned Jews who had nearly been consumed by the "fire" of the Babylonian captivity.log snatched and rescued from the fire?" [Jude 9] 3 Now Joshua was clothed with *3:3 Symbolic of Judah’s (the Southern Kingdom) disgusting sins.filthy (nauseatingly vile) garments and was standing before the Angel [of the Lord]. 4 He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Remove the filthy garments from him." And He said to Joshua, "See, I have caused your wickedness to be taken away from you, and I will clothe and beautify you with rich robes [of forgiveness]." 5 And I (Zechariah) said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with [rich] garments. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.

6 And the Angel of the Lord [solemnly and earnestly] admonished Joshua, saying, 7 "Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways [that is, remain faithful] and perform My service, then you will also govern My house and have charge of My courts, and I will give you free access [to My presence] among these who are standing here.

The Branch

8 Now listen, Joshua, the high priest, you and your colleagues who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol [of what is to come]—for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the *3:8 A Messianic title.Branch [in Messianic glory]. [Is 4:2; Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zech 6:12] 9 For behold, the *3:9 Probably typifying the Messiah.stone which I have set before Joshua; on that one stone are seven eyes (symbolizing infinite intelligence, omniscience). Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘and I will remove the wickedness and guilt of this land in a single day. [2 Chr 16:9; Jer 50:20; Zech 4:10] 10 In that day,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and his fig tree [enjoying peace and prosperity in the kingdom].’ " [Mic 4:1-4]