Series: The Book of Zechariah
Sermon: Divine Restoration
Bible Passage: Zechariah 3:1-7
I. In a vision Zechariah saw a courtroom scene
1. The LORD (verse 2)
2. The Angel of the LORD (verse 1)
3. An Accuser (verse 1)
4. Joshua (verse 1)
5. Onlookers (verse 4, 5)
II. The Accuser “accused” Joshua, the High Priest, before the LORD (verse 1)
1. Joshua was called to be the High Priest before the LORD in the Temple that was being rebuilt
2. The Accuser accused Joshua that he was not qualified to be the High Priest
a. Joshua was wearing a ceremonially defiled cloth—soiled cloth (צֹאִי)
b. The filthy clothes represented sin and consequences of sin
c. With filthy clothes, Joshua would not be able to serve God as the High Priest
d. His cloth was burned, filthy, unworthy, contemptible for a High Priest
3. The Accuser does not want God’s work to progress
4. So, he brings charges against Joshua (3:1)
5. The intention of the accusation appears to disqualify Joshua in his mission
6. The Accuser would have accused that Joshua was a failed worthless person
7. When the accusations were in progress, Joshua must have felt unworthy to serve God because the accusations were true
III. The LORD’s response to the Accuser (verse 2)
1. The LORD did not agree the Accuser’s accusations
2. The LORD chose Jerusalem
3. Yes, God brought judgment upon the city, but it does not mean He does not love the city
4. Just because He allowed Babylon to invade Jerusalem does not mean God has forsaken the city
5. He allowed Babylon to destroy the city and Temple; now, He has brought Joshua to be the High Priest when the Temple is complete
6. The LORD wanted the priesthood to be reestablished and thereby prepare them for the arrival of the Messiah
IV. The LORD rebuked the Accuser (verse 2)
1. The Hebrew word for “rebuke” conveys an angry rebuke of God with a loud cry
2. This angry rebuke drives out the enemy from God’s presence
V. The LORD’s description of Joshua (verse 2)
1. “Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (verse 2)—remnant theology
2. Joshua was chosen out of the priests who were exiled to Babylon (Joshua survived the Exile)
3. If God chose Joshua from Babylon, He has a purpose
4. If God has a purpose for a person or nation, God will accomplish it through them
5. The LORD’s protects Joshua from further accusations by rebuking the Accuser
VI. The LORD’s great exchange (verse 4)
1. The Angel of the LORD spoke up to those standing all around, “Remove his filthy clothes” (verse 4)
2. Then he said to Joshua, “I have freely forgiven your iniquity and will dress you in fine clothing (verse 4)
3. The verb “to remove” has a symbolic meaning
a. It refers to the removal of sins
b. The LORD tells Joshua that his guilt of the act of sin and the consequence of the act of sin is removed
4. The great exchange: The Angel of the LORD removes the filthy clothes and replaces it with festive clothes
5. The removal of the consequence of sin is replaced with a renewed identity—removal followed by imputation
a. Expiation
b. Imputation (cf. Gal 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ)
c. The removal of the filthy clothes qualifies Joshua to be the High Priest
VII. The LORD continued empowering Joshua (verse 5)
1. “Let a clean turban be put on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the Angel of the Lord stood nearby
2. The turban on Joshua’s forehead will carry the seal “Holiness to the Lord” (cf. Exod 28:36; 39:30)
3. Removal of filthy clothes, clothing with new festive clothes, and putting the turban symbolizes reinstallation of the High Priestly office, which was defiled by Joshua’s forefathers
VIII. Following the reinstallation, the Angel of the LORD gives a charge (commissioning) like we have on the graduation day (verses 6-8)
1. Then the Angel of the Lord exhorted Joshua solemnly (verse 6)
2. “The Lord Sabaoth says, ‘If you live and work according to my requirements, you will be able to preside over my temple and attend to my courtyards, and I will allow you to come and go among these others who are standing by you (verse 7)
3. Joshua and his people are exhorted to live faithfully to the covenant (covenant faithfulness)
IX. Principles
1. Who do we hear?
a. Accuser
i. The Accuser reminds our failures, magnifies them, and convinces us that we are not good enough before God
ii. The Accuser uses our loved ones or our own conscience to make us feel guilty
b. God
2. Learn to hear what God says about us rather than what the Accuser says about us
3. God removes sin and its consequences, and reinstates His people to serve Him with His imputed holiness
4. God is a God of second chances
X. Joshua’s reinstatement as a High Priest did not last long, but God has provided us with a High Priest forever
1. Hebrews 8:1-2 We have such a high priest, one who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up
2. Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings, because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water
3. John 3:17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him
XI. Principles
1. Jesus is our High Priest
2. Those who belong to Jesus have gone through the great exchange: expiation and imputation
3. The Accuser cannot accuse God’s children, who have continuous cleansing and access
Take Away:
Train your ears to listen to what God says about you rather than what the Accuser or your subconscious mind say about you