November 25, 2011
RAGS TO RICHES
Zechariah 3
Adam Sandwick
Central Truth
God has provided the ultimate defense for Satan's accusations against us.
Key Verse | Zechariah 3:3–4
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, "Remove the filthy garments from him." Again he said to him, "See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes." (Zechariah 3:3-4)
Zechariah 3
A Vision of Joshua the High Priest
1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan 1 3:1 Hebrew the Accuser or the Adversary standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2 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 2 3:2 That is, a burning stick plucked from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. 4 And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by.
6 And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua, 7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. 8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. 9 For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, 3 3:9 Or facets I will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. 10 In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.”
Dive Deeper | Zechariah 3
This passage brings to mind an old recurring dream. I am sure you all know what I am talking about: the one where you go to school or work without some important article of clothing. It's always such a helpless feeling knowing that you are exposed and cannot do anything about it.
Now imagine Zechariah, whose father's father (Iddo) was a priest (Zechariah 1:1, Nehemiah 12:4), watching this vision of the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord with filthy clothes! He, more so than we, must have known well how priests were to be clothed in their service before the Lord (Exodus 28-29) and that God did not take lightly any departure from His commands regarding priestly service (Leviticus 10). And, to top it off, Satan is there to point out all Joshua's flaws! This is a helpless place to be, standing in the presence of the Lord, knowing there is nothing in us that merits our being there. And Satan, the accuser, is more than happy to tell us and the Lord that we do not belong and are not worthy.
But our story doesn't end there, and neither does Zechariah's vision! He gets to see a glimpse of the gospel that is to come. The Lord rebukes Satan and says Joshua has been "plucked from the fire" (Zechariah 3:2), and the angel of the Lord gives him "festal robes" in place of the filthy garments. We all approach God with the filth of our sin covering us. Isaiah 64:6 says, "[A]ll our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment." Praise God that He provided a way for us to be rescued! Jesus Christ, "the Branch" of Zechariah 3:8, paid the penalty of death that our filth before God deserves. If we believe by faith that He paid the penalty for us, then Jesus will be the one to say about us, "See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes." (Zechariah 3:4b)
Discussion Questions
1. What are some of Satan's attacks that make you feel unworthy to stand in the presence of God?
2. Which Scriptures can you use to proclaim God's promises to combat these attacks from Satan?
3. Have you let God exchange your filthy rags (sin) for His rich garments (eternal life)? If so, share that story of grace with someone in your life today. If not, what's keeping you from accepting God's gift to you in Christ?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
HAGGAI 1-ZECHARIAH 3 (NOVEMBER 21-25)
Read Haggai 1:1-11.
What were the people saying in verse 2? The Lord's house was in ruins, but what were the people living in (verses 3-4)? What were the people looking to for satisfaction, fulfillment, and contentment?
Reread verse 9. The people were looking after themselves and not focusing on honoring God with their lives and putting Him first. What are ways in which you put other things before God?
Read Matthew 6:19-34.
Look at verse 33. What should we seek first? How should we live? What will God do for us?
Activity: Let's practice making God a priority by giving up something that is a "luxury" for one week. So whether it's coffee from Starbucks, eating out, or your afterschool treat, pick something that will remind you always to put God's kingdom first. With the money that you would have spent on the "luxury," give it back to God's kingdom.