Daily Bible Reading - August 17, 2017

Today's Reading:

John 3:22-36

1 Chronicles 13-14

Zechariah 3

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Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading   

Today, continuing our reading and study in Zechariah, we will examine the fourth vision, found in Zechariah 3:1-10.

In his fourth vision, Zechariah saw someone who was called Joshua the High Priest standing in the Heavenlies with Satan also there opposing him.

Now, at first, one may wonder how Satan could be present since this is a Heavenly setting in this vision. But both Job and John the Revelator describe Satan standing in the Heavenly Court, as the accuser of the brethren (Job 1:6-8, Revelation 12:10).

In Zechariah 3, we find a number of key clues which help us to identify "Joshua". From these clues, we can determine that "Joshua" must be none other than Yahshua, our Saviour. Here the the identifying clues which make it plain that Joshua must be Christ:

• Joshua is the High Priest (Zechariah 3:1) - this is a title of Christ (Hebrews 4:14-15)

• In Zechariah's third vision, a mitre (crown) is set on Joshua's Head (Zechariah 3:5) - Christ is the One Who is crowned as our King (Revelation 19:11-16).

• Joshua is appointed as Judge over Yahweh's House (Zech 3:7) - Scripture tells us that the Father has committed the work of Judgment to Yahshua (John 5:22).

• Joshua is called the Branch (Zechariah 3:8, 6:12) - this is a special title which belongs exclusively to Christ (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

• The Name, which is translated as "Joshua" in Zechariah 3, is actually Yahshua - the Saviour's real Name, as you can see by looking it up with a Strong's Concordance. In fact, Zechariah chapter 3 is one of the few places where our Saviour's Name is preserved (other than putting a "J" in place of the "Y") in the KJV.

Clearly, Joshua must be Yahshua - Christ. But what about the fact that Zechariah sees Joshua clothed in a filthy robe. Since a filthy robe represents sin, how can our sinless High Priest, Who is righteous, be found in filthy rags?

Scripture tells us of an amazing exchange. Messiah takes my filthy rags of unrighteousness, and clothes me in His righteous robe. This fourth vision of Zechariah is showing Christ's redemptive work as our Heavenly High Priest (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Zechariah 3:3-4 "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 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."

There is a very beautiful quotation that puts it all in a right perspective, giving us a better grasp of what our Saviour did for us, in order to provide our Salvation:

“Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. "With His stripes we are healed."  {Desire of Ages, p. 25}

In this vision, Zechariah sees Christ interceding for you and for me. He so closely identifies with His people, that He takes our filthy garments of unrighteousness. And He gives us a beautiful promise. He says, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with a change of rainment (His Righteousness is imputed to us in exchange). 

Reviewing the message of the fourth vision of Zechariah

• Christ, our great High Priest intercedes for us, pleading our case before the Throne.

• He takes our filthiness (when we confess and ask for cleansing), and replaces it with His righteousness
• Satan accuses the brethren day and night.
• But because Yahshua is standing in our place, the accusations of the wicked one are insufficient cause to bar us from Eternal Life. Yahweh may render righteous Judgment in our favor, because the merits of Yahshua are credited to our accounts! What a Saviour!