Joshua the High Priest Is Accused
Study note
In this fourth vision, Joshua the high priest stands before God's angel wearing filthy clothes, which represent the sin and guilt of the people. Satan stands ready to accuse him. But God rebukes Satan and orders the dirty clothes removed. Joshua receives clean robes and a clean turban, showing that God forgives and restores His people.
1 Then the angel showed me a vision: Joshua the high priest was standing before the angel of the LORD. And Satan was there at his side, ready to accuse him. And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
2 The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebukes you, Satan! The LORD who chose Jerusalem rebukes you! Look at this man — he is like a stick snatched from the flames just in time!" And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
3 Joshua was wearing dirty, stained clothing as he stood before the angel. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
4 The angel told his attendants, "Strip those filthy clothes off him." Then he turned to Joshua and said, "Look — I have removed your guilt. Now I am going to dress you in new, spotless clothes." And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
5 Then I spoke up: "Put a clean turban on his head!" So they placed a fresh turban on his head and dressed him in new clothing while the angel of the LORD watched over the whole scene. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
The Promise of the Branch
Study note
God gives Joshua conditions and promises. If Joshua obeys God's commands, he will lead God's temple. Then God makes a stunning promise about a future servant called 'the Branch,' a title for the coming Messiah. A special stone with seven eyes represents God's all-seeing care. God promises to remove the sin of the whole land in a single day, pointing to the future sacrifice of Christ.
6 Then the angel of the LORD gave Joshua this solemn charge: And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
7 "The LORD of Armies says: 'If you live the way I want and follow my instructions, you will be in charge of my temple and my courts. And I will give you access to walk among these angels standing here.'" Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
8 "Now listen, Joshua the high priest — you and the other priests sitting with you. You are living signs pointing to something amazing: I am about to bring my servant, the Branch." Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
9 "Look at the stone I have placed before Joshua — a single stone with seven eyes carved into it. I will engrave an inscription on it," the LORD of Armies says, "and I will wipe away the sin of this entire land in one single day." For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10 "When that day comes," says the LORD of Armies, "each of you will ask your neighbor to sit under your vine. You will rest under your fig tree in full peace." In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.