Zechariah 3:5

“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”

Context:The book of Zechariah is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. Zechariah was a prophet who ministered to the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylonian captivity. The book contains a series of visions and messages from God, providing encouragement and instruction to the people regarding the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem and the restoration of the nation.

High Priest Joshua:In Zechariah 3:1, the prophet sees a vision of Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. Joshua was the high priest at that time and represented the religious leadership of the people.

Joshua’s Condition:The vision reveals that Joshua was standing before the angel of the Lord in filthy garments, which symbolized the spiritual condition of the nation of Israel. It represented their sinfulness and defilement before God. The filthy garments also signified the accusations of Satan against Joshua and the people of Israel (Zechariah 3:1-3).

The Accusation:Satan stood at Joshua’s right hand to accuse him. Satan is known as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10) and seeks to bring charges against God’s people. In this vision, Satan was opposing Joshua and presenting his sins before God.

God’s Response:In Zechariah 3:2, the Lord rebukes Satan and chooses to defend Joshua. The Lord chose Jerusalem, which refers to the people of Israel, for His own purposes, despite their sinful state. God’s grace and mercy are evident as He takes action to restore His people.

Cleansing and Restoration:In Zechariah 3:3-4, the Lord orders Joshua’s filthy garments to be removed and replaced with rich garments. The removal of the filthy garments symbolizes the forgiveness of sins and the removal of guilt and shame. The fair or clean mitre, a turban-like headpiece worn by the high priest, represents a renewed and dignified position of authority.

The Angel of the Lord:In Zechariah 3:5, the angel of the Lord is mentioned, standing by as the events unfold. The angel is present to witness and participate in the divine work of cleansing and restoration.

• The vision of Joshua serves as a reminder that despite our sinful condition, God offers forgiveness and restoration. He is willing to cleanse and renew us.
• Satan may accuse and oppose God’s people, but God is our defender and advocate. He has the final say in our lives.
• God’s grace is greater than our sins. He is willing to restore us to a place of honor and authority, just as He did for Joshua.
• The vision of Joshua also points forward to Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who took our sins upon Himself and clothed us in His righteousness.