February 9, 2020

The Fourth Vision

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

Bible Text: Zechariah 3:1-10 | Preacher: Henry De Oliveira | Series: Zechariah’s Prophecies | 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