Zechariah 3:6-10
6 And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying,
7 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘If you walk in My ways and perform My service, then you will both govern My house and be in charge of My courtyards, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.
8 Now listen, Joshua, you high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a sign: for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch.
9 For behold, the stone that I have put before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I am going to engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the Lord of armies, ‘and I will remove the guilt of that land in one day.
10 On that day,’ declares the Lord of armies, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree.’ ”
The Message to Joshua (1)
The three blessings
Today’s passage contains many references to the Messiah, so we will study it in two parts. (1) In reconsecrating Joshua, the angel of the Lord presents two conditions (v 7). It says, “The angel of the Lord admonished…” (v 6), indicating that this was a very strong and emphatic charge. (a) “If you walk in My ways” refers to one’s personal life and attitude toward the Lord. (b) “and perform My service” refers to the duties as a priest. (2) If these two conditions are met, three privileges will be given to him. (a) “Govern My house” refers to the authority to make decisions regarding all matters related to temple worship. (b) “and be in charge of My courtyards” refers to the authority to determine who may enter the temple. The temple must become “a house of prayer for all the peoples” (Isa. 56:7). (c) “and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here” means that he will be able to draw near to God’s throne like the angels. This is a promise that will be fulfilled upon Israel in the Messianic Kingdom.
The branch
“‘Now listen, Joshua, you high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you – indeed they are men who are a sign: for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch’” (v 8). (1) Joshua and his companions (the ordinary priests) are people who become a “type (symbol)” of the coming Messiah. In other words, they symbolize the coming of the Messiah. (2) Concerning the Messiah, He is called “My servant” and “the Branch.” These two terms are often used in the Old Testament as titles for the Messiah. (3) Regarding the Messianic title “Servant,” Isaiah 40-55 (especially 52:13-53:12) explains it well. As for “the Branch,” Zechariah 6:12-13 addresses it. In the Old Testament, there is what is called “the theology of the Branch.” The above describes the blessings that will be given to the people of Israel in the Messianic Kingdom, but we as Christians have already received the spiritual blessings that serve as a foretaste of these. Because of Christ’s redemption, we have been seated with Him in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). Now, let us draw near to the throne of glory through Jesus, our High Priest.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I have been given Jesus Christ, who is my High Priest. Through Him, I offer thanksgiving and praise before You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.