November 16th 2025 Zechariah chapter 3
Vision of Joshua the High Priest.
V 1. Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The previous visions have stressed blessing for Israel. But these promises are depending upon obedience and the cleansing of the nation.
The fourth vision reveals that the priestly office of Israel must be reinstated in the favour of God.
A polluted priesthood had brought distress upon Israel; it needed purging The office had been sold to the highest bidder, not one chosen by God ( Ezekiel 22 v 26) .
Zechariah saw Joshua the high priest, in his official and representative capacity, standing before the Angel of the Lord in the performance of his priestly ministry. Israel trusted in self-righteousness, this blinded them to the coming Messiah, So something had to be done to restore the Divine righteousness of God.
The Nation must repent and return to God
Joshua Suddenly found himself the object of the accusations of Satan. …If he were cast off, the nation also would be rejected; ….if he were cleared, the nation would be accepted.
Satan standing at his right hand. Satan appeared in order to lodge his condemnation
( Ps 109 v 31). For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
V 2. The Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem. Messiah called down the rebuke of the Father on Satan,
not because Israel was righteous, not because Satan had exaggerated his claims, not because the nation had already suffered in the fire of exile, but because God had made an eternal and absolute choice of Israel out of love for her ( Rom 9 v 16; ch 11 v 5).
A brand plucked out of the fire. The figure is used of Israel, because, although she had been under God's hand of chastening, He still had future purposes of blessing for the world through her.
V 3. Joshua was clothed with filthy garments. The priesthood was dishonoured with the filth of sin.
How strange, then, that a priest should attempt to stand before the holy Angel of the Lord. Or is it Jesus himself???
V 4. Take away the filthy garments. Joshua was powerless to change the condition; he could do nothing to cleanse himself. The removal of the polluted garments symbolizes forgiveness, acceptance, and reinstatement in the priestly office. The change of raiment. A robe of righteousness
V 5. Let them set a fair mitre upon his head.
This command of the Angel of the Lord involves the complete cleansing and clothing of the priesthood ( Ex 28 v 36-38).
V 7. Walk in my ways. The basic requirement for God's servants is to exercise care in the matter of personal devotion.
Keep my charge. This relates to the faithful performance of official duties.
Judge my house. The priests were called upon to pronounce on clean and unclean things (Lev 10 v 10).
Keep my courts. The courts of the Lord needed to be guarded against defilement.
Places to walk among these that stand by.
The greatest blessing of all would be the granting of access ( walks or paths) among the angels of heaven.
Immediate communion with the Lord is indicated here.
Jehovah’s Servant….. the BRANCH Jesus the Messiah
V 8. They are men wondered at. Literally, they are men who are a sign, typical men, who point to another.(Jesus)
My servant the Branch. It is clear that this is the Messiah of Israel.
Both Servant and Branch are designations in the OT for the Messiah.
See Isa 42 v 1; ch 52 v 13; Ezekiel 34 v 23,24; Isa 4 v 2; Jer 23 v 5.
The humanity and humility of the Messiah are emphasized.
V 9. The stone. This is a third name of Messiah ( Ps 118 v 22; Mt 21 v 42; I Pet 2 v 6).
The graving thereof. The reference is to all the graces, beauties, and gifts of the Messiah, fitting him for his great work.
Revelation 5 v 6 …… 7 eyes……. 7 spirits of God
I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. Here is the climax of the vision and the purpose of the symbol.
Israel's iniquity is to be removed once for all through the work of the Messiah.
As Joshua and his companions were cleansed , and the nation with them, so Messiah will accomplish all this for his people in the future.
V 10. Under the vine and under the fig tree. Repeatedly in the OT, when Israel is in proper spiritual relationship with the Lord, material prosperity is granted her (Micah 4 v 4 with I Kings 4 v 25).
News from the Church New dates
19th November…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
22nd November…. Christmas Fayre at 2-30pm
3rd December..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
21st December….. Carol Service at 6-30pm
25th December…. Christmas Day Service 10am (for 45 minutes)
ANSWERS TO 2nd November QUESTIONS
1) Keeper 2) Liveth 3) Evil 4) Wrath 5) Faith 6) Woman 7)Comforted 8) Heart 9) World
10) Serve 11) Given 12) Charity (love) 13) Word 14) Knock 15) Salt 16) Snow
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is What word or phrase is missing
1 He is not here, for He is……..? Matt 28 v 6
2 This is Jesus the King of……..? Matt 27 v 37
3 He that winneth souls is ……… ? Prov 11 v 30
4 I am the way the truth and the ……….? John 14 v 6
5 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be …….? 2 Tim 2 v 15
6 Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your ……? Rom 12 v 1
7 Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me ….? Matt 26 v 75
8 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry ……? Ps 40 v 2
9 And he shall be like a tree planted by the……..? Ps 1 v 3
10 Job’s wife said to him, curse God and …….? Job 2 v 9
11 As I was with Moses ,So I will be with ….? Josh 1 v 5
12 Thy people shall be …….? Ruth 1 v 16
13 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, Bless …….. ? Ps 103 v 1
14 For I am not ashamed of the…….? Rom 1 v 16
15 Be no deceived, God is not…….? Gal 6 v 7
16 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this……? Eph 6 v 1
God Bless