February 9, 2020

The Fourth Vision

Preacher:
Passage: Zechariah 3:1-10
Service Type:

Introduction

  • We have now come to the 4th vision
    • Previously dealt with the externals of the return of Jerusalem
    • These visions were a reminder that God had not forgotten them
      • Zechariah means 'God remembers'
    • The visions would encourage the people to persevere
    • Quick reminder of visions
  • The 4th vision
    • Not the external problems
    • The internal problem - their inner condition
    • Reading v1-4
    • This has a great impact upon my life - this shows us the Gospel
  • v1
    • Zechariah sees what appears to be a court scene
      • Joshua as the offender
      • Satan as the prosecutor
      • The Angel of the Lord - judge and defender
    • A physical representation of what happens in the spiritual realm
      • It answers the question of how filthy sinners can be accepted by a pure God
    • There are big truths in the passage - topics
  • Overview:
    • Who are the characters involved?
    • What is the problem faced?
    • What is the Lord's solution?

Who are the characters involved?

Joshua - the high priest(offender)

  • Mentioned in the Old Testament but not much recorded about him
    • Not he that is significant but his office
    • He was set apart as high priest to officially represent all of Israel
      • Special clothing
      • Only rituals he could perform - e.g. Day of Atonement
  • This scene represents what is happening on the Day of Atonement
    • When God is presented with sin - surely wrath and anger must follow
      • No sin is hidden
      • Yet the high priest was able to declare each year that sin was atoned for
      • Why?
    • Joshua represents all of God's people
      • This vision can be applied to the Church today
      • We are to take our place in the dock

Satan (the accuser)

  • His role of accuser of God's people is emphasised here
    • He stands at Joshua's right hand
    • He acts as prosecutor
  • He doesn't overlook any of his offenses
    • Does this not remind us of Job 1-2
    • He hates to see any stand before God and receive favour
    • He goes around like a roaring lion - he wants to devour us
  • He is cunning with words and deceit
  • He wants to strip God of His glory
    • He accuses God's people
    • He continually accuses God's people - Rev 12:10
  • The Lord is able to rebuke him!

The Lord (the judge)

  • The Angel of the Lord
  • He receives worship
    • In appearing to Moses and Joshua - it was holy ground
      • He received their worship
    • He must be God - the express image of the Godhead
  • He speaks as God
    • He is uniquely qualified to speak in God's name
  • He will remove our filthy garments and clothe us in righteousness
  • He has two roles
    • Judge - Acts 10, John 5:22
    • The Strong, Mighty Defender of His people

What is the problem faced?

  • Why is there a courtroom scene?
    • The high priest would have to prepare himself - wash in oil and wear beautiful clothes
      • Yet he was dressed in filthy garments
      • In reality - he was one who was filthy
      • The people were filthy
  • God reveals outwardly what He sees inwardly
    • A very strong word - clothed in excrement
    • Symbolic of the spiritual condition of the people
    • It represents our sinful nature
  • Our sin cannot be washed away
    • Isa 64:6
    • Many today would say that they do not deserve to be called a filthy sinner
      • But we have all fallen short of the glory of God
      • God sees our heart and all our sin
  • Not merely our sinful acts but our sinful nature
    • We are the vilest offenders
    • This is the ugly truth that Joshua is representing
  • Joshua could not defend himself against satan's accusations
    • He could not defend himself before God
  • Do you recognise this is what our sinfulness looks like before God?
    • There will be sinfulness in our hearts and ugliness in our life

What is the Lord's solution?

  • v2 - "The Lord rebuke you"
    • Even though we are ugly and defenceless - the judge chooses to stand in our defence
  • God vindicates His own purposes and character
    • Although God's people are being attacked, it is really an attack on God
  • God accepts us because He has chosen them
    • It is an act of divine grace and mercy
    • Joshua and the people could do nothing to be rescued
    • God saves them
  • v4 - Clothed in righteousness
    • The filthy garments (the iniquity) removed & clothed in rich robes [righteousness]
    • No work attributed to Joshua - Christ has done all the work
      • This is how we are to come
    • God removes all our sin - it is necessary that our filthy garments are removed
  • Past tense - it is done
    • 2 Cor 5:21
    • Joshua was not acquitted - Christ took the punishment on Himself
    • This he does for all [who believe in Him]
  • Christ becomes our garment of salvation
    • Put on Christ
    • In Christ - satan will flee

Closing Remarks