Zechariah three contains the fourth vision that God gave to Zechariah the prophet. This vision contains the story of the redemption and restoration of Joshua, the high priest and of Israel, the nation. The high priest stood as representative of all the people. Joshua was cleansed from his pitiful, sinful state and restored to the position as high priest. The work of God could not be accomplished without the Temple. Joshua would have a part in the rebuilding process. This fourth vision also continues the development of prophecy concerning the Messiah.

          At the beginning of the Bible the Devil is there to attempt to destroy the work of God. Here Satan is pictured as standing at the right hand of God's high priest. Satan's accusation is that these people are not fit to be God's people. The filthy garments of the priest are used to represent the sins of the people. It is true that they were almost gone but God plucked them as a brand from the fire. Joshua is given clean cloths to represent forgiveness. The prophet used the Messianic term "Branch" to offer hope to His people. Jesus will be the chief corner stone of His Temple, the Church.

          Satan accused Joshua the high priest -- Zechariah 3:1-2: This fourth vision takes place with Joshua standing in the presence of the angel of the Lord. Satan was standing at his right hand to accuse him. Even though God had described the matter in very much the same way that Satan may have accused the people it was not appropriate for the Devil to be criticizing God's work. What was going on was none of his business. Joshua, the high priest was there as representative of the entire Jewish people. Even though Zechariah was not primarily writing about Jesus and the Devil we can learn much about both from this section. The fact that the angel is pictured as standing shows that he was ministering in his office as a servant of God. The Devil was doing his thing as he accused the people of God. He is the enemy of everything that is good and decent. There was a need for a time of purification. As the Jews returned from captivity they were still facing the attacks of Satan. Satan accused Joshua of being unfit for priestly service. The Lord said Satan was wrong because Jerusalem was His chosen city and He was going to rescue them like pulling a stick from a flaming fire.

          Joshua was forgiven and properly clothed -- Zechariah 3:3-5: Joshua was pictured as wearing very dirty cloths. These garments symbolize the evil that had been done by the priest and by the people. This poor, sinful state of the Jews must be corrected. God's people must have clean hands and a pure heart. The practices that had been adopted from pagan religions in Babylon must now be laid aside and God's people must be clean and unspotted. Remember, the problem is not so much the garments but Joshua and the people were attempting to serve God when they were spiritually filthy and ceremonially unclean. Joshua and the people were forgiven so now it was time for him to dress like and act like a priest. Captivity had cured the people of idolatry and now they should be happy to resume their worship and service to God. God was in the process of restoring Israel as a priestly nation. In Isaiah 61:6 we read "But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves." Zechariah said that they should put a turban or mitre on Joshua's head." In proper service to God the chief priest was to wear a special turban. "And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre." (Exodus 29:6) This miter had a plaque on it that read "Holiness to the Lord." (Exodus 28:36) This had to do with the establishment of the authority of the chief priest. Like the words on the turban Israel must be holy unto the Lord.

          Promises were made to Joshua -- Zechariah 3:6-7: The angel of the Lord gave Joshua encouragement by telling him that the All-Powerful Lord had made great promises to His people. The King James Version says, "The Lord protested unto Joshua." This means that the Lord solemnly declared these matters. God told Joshua that he expected him to obey His moral laws. He also expected Joshua to carry out the commandments and rituals of the Law. God gave promises to Joshua. First, if Joshua would do what God required of him God would allow him to rule in His Temple and in His courts. God's desire was for the chief priest to be ruler in the Temple. He was to be in charge of the things that pertain to the worship of God. The second promise contingent upon Joshua's faithful was direct access to God. If the chief priest was obedient he would be permitted to approach God without anyone between them. He could come into the Lord's presence like the angels who stood before Him. Obedience to God always leads to even more opportunities for service.

          A prophesy of Christ, the Branch -- Zechariah 3:8-10: These last 3 verses are about what will happen in the future. "Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree." (Zechariah 3:8-10) God brought Israel back and showed them what to do and gave them a view of what the future would hold. God was doing a wonderful work in bringing these people back and allowing them to rebuild the Temple. He would do a much more wonderful work in sending the Savior to the world. God promised to bring His servant, the Branch, to Jerusalem. This one called "the Branch" would be the high priest. Jesus is that Branch. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15) Isaiah 11:1 says, "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots." So the end of this vision looks forward to the life of Jesus. Both the temple and the church are built with stones. The Temple is built with literal stones. The church is built using "lively stones" with Jesus Christ as the chief corner stone. God removed the iniquity of Israel in one day and He is willing to remove your iniquity.