Tabor Baptist Church

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