This teaching on Zechariah Ch3 was given by pastor Barry Forder at Calvary Portsmouth on 22nd May 2022.
Zechariah was part of the new generation of Jews born back in the land following the Babylonian captivity.
On night, God gave Zechariah a series of visions to encourage and strengthen the hearts of the people, and to reveal to them what their future would be; and even though the Devil himself would stand against them, God was on their side. God had chosen Jerusalem and see that His chosen people would eventually prosper and be at peace when their Messiah would one day establish His kingdom, not only over Israel, but over the whole earth.
In this 4th vision, Zechariah sees his friend and co-worker, Joshua, the High Priest, standing before the throne of God. Satan is there accusing him, tying to discourage him and pointing out his unworthiness – and in type, Israel’s unworthiness to stand before God. But God intervenes and silences Satan. God has chosen Jerusalem; Joshua’s sin is taken away and Joshua’s filthy robes are replaced by clean and perfect garments. As Joshua stands before God on behalf of his people, he is crowned with a mitre. The word mitre derives from the Greek mitra, which signifies a headband or diadem (royal crown).
For Joshua’s faithfulness and obedience God promises him that he will “judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by” (Zech 3:7), in other words, be given the rule over the people and over the whole land.
This is the vision, and no doubt, it was a great encouragement to Zechariah, Joshua and the returned exiles; but this was more than just a vision of the present. It was a vision of what will be for the Nation of Israel, and for the whole world.
The Hebrew name ‘Joshua’ (Yeshua) means ‘The Lord Saves’; and when translated into Greek, is the name Jesus! Thus, this whole vision depicts Jesus standing before the throne of the Father on behalf of His people – both Jews and Gentiles. Satan, ‘the accuser of the brethren’ (Rev 12:10), constantly brings accusations and tries to make us think we are unworthy, that we are clothed in ‘filthy rages’ (our best efforts and our sin) none of which is befitting a child of God! But God declares that we have been ‘plucked from the fire’, pulled out before we were consumed by His wrath, because He has pronounced us clean!
We have been clothed in His righteousness because our Joshua (Jesus) took our sin and filthiness’ upon Himself… “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor 5:21).
The problem of sin, which is the root of all suffering, sickness and death, which began in a garden some 6000 years ago, was dealt with once and for all, on a cross in Judea. It was all paid for in one day.
In the same way that all who have put their faith and trust in Jesus now are cleansed in a day, so one day, Israel will realise that Yeshua is their Messiah and will repent and put their trust in Him.
Our Messiah will return, receive the throne His Father will give Him, and then rule over the whole earth. The Gentiles will be at peace and Israel will dwell safely in their land.
May you be blessed and encouraged by this study.
