“And the LORD said to Satan, ‘The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”
- Zechariah 3:2
We enter into yet another vision of Zechariah. This one sets up an incredible courtroom-like scenery and starts to reframe our culture's understanding of God and Satan. Further, Zechariah is witnessing the re-establishment and appointment of a high priest, Joshua, in a time when they haven’t even had a temple to worship in. So let’s unpack this beautiful passage, but before we do, go quick and read Zechariah 3.
Setting the Scene:
Keep in mind that Israel/Judah has been held captive by Assyria/Babylon respectively for many years. Centuries for Israel, and around seventy years for Judah. In this time their temple has been destroyed, they have been tempted to worship other gods and kings. Now God is preparing to bring them back, and now we enter into Zech’s vision.
Though there are no descriptors of the setting beyond who is present and what is happening, I get courtroom-like imagery in my mind. God is sitting on His throne, gavel in hand assessing Joshua, the high priest in the exile. Joshua is standing there in tattered and ashen-coated clothes. He certainly looks nothing like a high priest. Angels are standing by and around, filling up the jury, the guards, and witnesses. Satan though, name and role meaning to literally accuse people of their sins, is presenting his case, not only against Joshua, but what Joshua represents, and that’s all 12 tribes of Israel.
On top of any of Joshua’s personal sins, Satan may point out Israel’s full history of faithlessness. From the Wilderness wanderings for 40 years to the weakness of every good and bad king to rule. Even further would be any Jew who has turned their backs to God in the exile. This seems like a pretty one-sided case.
While the case does turn out to be one-sided, it is not in Satan’s favor, but instead one-sided in God’s grace and mercy. Satan is rebuked, the people of Jerusalem are chosen, and Joshua… well keep reading!
Appointed:
The soot-covered priest, also representing all of Israel is addressed and re-dressed. The ashen clothes are removed, and he is dressed in the finest of priestly clothing, not only a new robe but also a turban, representing his priesthood and authority.
This imagery is important for a number of reasons, but the core is God’s faithfulness to Israel. If God were not faithful, He would turn His back on Israel, He would have allowed them to remain as slaves in Egypt, or would have left them to die in the wilderness. He never would have written the Law, nor spoke through the prophets throughout history. If God were not faithful, Israel would have been left in Babylon.
But God is faithful. He keeps His promises. He keeps His plans for the whole world and to specific individuals like Joshua. Even the most ashen-covered lives, God has made a way to restore.
There is a greater purpose within this restoration and appointment though, and that leads us to what an Angel of the LORD tells Joshua. Joshua is charged to 1) walk in the ways of God and 2) keep God’s charge. In simplest terms, to be obedient and faithful. If God sets something before Joshua, Joshua is to take it, for God does not tempt but gives grace.
If he walks in the ways of God and keeps God’s charge, then 1) he will rule in the temple, 2) have a charge in the courts, and 3) have the right of access to God. These are the gifts of faithfulness and obedience, authority from God, and connection.
God first restores and then appoints, and if we faithfully partner with Him in His work, then we reap the fruits as well. Yet there is a further purpose to all this. A life that is restored and lived faithfully serves as a sign, as a representation of the “Branch.” The Branch is Jesus, the root of Jesse, the Lord of David, the Messiah.
Plucked for a Purpose:
That then captures the full beauty and purpose of this vision. It's not just about the healing and wholeness brought to Jerusalem and God’s people. It's about something grander, someone grander to be precise. The same is to go with our salvation, it's about a lot more than ourselves. Yes, we should share about how we are saved personally and give glory to God because of the restoration we experience. Yet, there is more happening and is a larger reason we have been plucked from the fire and given new clothes.
Our lives have been plucked to be as a sign and representation of Jesus to the world and His ongoing work through the Spirit to pluck more from the fire. Joshua and the other priest were that sign of greater things to come in Christ, the Branch. Now close to 2000 years after Jesus, we too can serve as signs.
A good sign though follows through with the same commands given to Joshua.
1) Walk in the ways of God (Obedience)
2) Keep God’s charge (Faithfulness)
Final Blessing:
We have been plucked from the fires of life for a grander purpose. Yes, we are saved and get to spend eternity with God, but further, we are signs that someone came to enable that to happen. Signs that Christ is real, and our life and breath can be of a testament to restoration through Him. Remember why you have been plucked.
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breathe, and every heartbeat of your journey.
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