Zechariah is one of the three post-exilic prophets and experienced a series of visions from God’s perspective which are written out for us. In the third chapter, the vision is of Joshua the high priest in a time of turmoil and distress.
The series of visions begin in the 8th month, 2nd year of Darius which is only two months into the rebuilding of the Temple spoken of in yesterday’s devotional. Sixteen years of inactivity had passed so the high priest was not serving in the intended Temple. Priestly duties would have been performed in a rustic setting without the glory of the Temple. Into this situation Zechariah has a vision of Joshua standing before the LORD which would be his place of service between God and Israel. But. In the vision Satan stands at the right hand of God to accuse Joshua! Note: the right hand of God is the place meant for God the Son and not Satan but Satan usurps whatever position we allow. Before the accusation is out of Satan’s mouth, the LORD rebukes him. The LORD makes it clear that while Joshua may not be serving in the restored Temple, his garments may not be spotless, that Satan sees faults in Joshua, God will hear none of this for in God’s eyes Joshua is ‘a brand plucked from the fire.’ Scorched, fouled, besmirched? Likely. But not in the heart of God who will not listen or accept Satan’s accusations. Joshua need not be consumed with his lacking for God is here to restore.
Yes, it is true that Joshua’s priestly robes are filthy but God understands and takes action to restore taking away the filthy garments and taking away his iniquity so he is clothed in purity. Then comes an almost comic aside: Zechariah gets caught up in the vision and joins in with the “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” And so they do add the turban to his completeness.
“And the Angel of the LORD was standing by.” Remember Satan at the right hand of God in the first part of the vision? The rightful place of God the Son? There is strong support throughout the Bible that the specific phrase ‘the angel of the LORD’ is a euphemism for God the Son, known to us as Jesus. ‘Angel’ literally means messenger and ‘the’ adds specificity to a particular messenger of the LORD; this particular angel/messenger is the only One who allows Himself to be worshiped as all other messengers deflect worship to the LORD. It fits that God the Son would be ‘standing by’ supervising the restoration of a priestly servant and in position to remove Satan’s accusations and influence. God intends full restoration of Joshua and has refuted Satan and changed the state of the priest:
Have you ever wanted to see yourself through God’s eyes instead of seeing yourself as a tainted sinner? We also have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ our Lord. He is just as able to bring restoration into our lives as He is promising Joshua in this verse. We all need a clearer vision of the work the LORD desires to accomplish in our lives if only we are willing.