Zechariah 3

Reading the document Zechariah is like reading Revelation. If not careful, you can be caught up in the vision as the writers were but end up missing the whole communication. Just as in Revelation, the prophet is in the company of an angel. All this is in a vision, 8 to be exact, but our brother almost sleeps after the fourth vision and the angel has to wake him up. Similar to John whenever he was called upon to "write!" as he got lost in what he was seen.


Two things are guides to understanding this prophecy. One, the name of the prophet and two a phrase that's repeated 4 times. 


First, the name. Zechariah. This means "The Lord remembers." Reminds me of The Lord remembering Noah and his family. The only thing The Lord does not remember is our sins once we've repented. This book, a contemporary of Haggai is all out to remind Israelites who were in captivity that God does remembers. What does he remember? Two things. His promises and His people. Israelites had been in captivity, and The Lord had promised that it will only last 70yrs. He remembered and now their journey back home is ongoing. 


King Darius is mentioned intentionally to help historians and students to get a timeline, but Haggai and Zechariah go a step further and give dates and months to zoom in on the timelines.


The second guide is a phrase that's repeated 4 times. The statement is "then you will know." God is not just remembering but He's out to prove a point. One, Zechariah is sent of God and two, all that transpired in their past, present and in the future is all orchestrated by Him. Basically, never forget who's God of all the earth. 


Now, as you zoom into chapter 3, we're looking at the fourth vision. The one which almost put Zechariah to sleep 🥱. Was it that boring? No. He was exhausted after 4 visions.


Let's find out. 


It begins with this words... "Then I saw Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him." This is a wow opening scene. You also are seen a vision at the moment. It's not a long one so pause your reading here, pick your Bible and read the chapter. Slowly. See the vision. 



Go read.


Now from memory, answer this questions.


Who are the key characters?

What does the Lord say to Satan?

What does Zechariah say?

What does the Angel say to Joshua?


Got it?


The scene is set. Joshua is standing before the Angel (of the LORD) together with Satan. There are others according to verse 4, but we're not told who. However, we can deduce that since they're before God, this could be the heavenly throne room where other angels and elders have access to. Thus making them the others. Back to the mentioned. Satan we know, but who is Joshua? Joshua is the active High priest of Israel as they go back to Jerusalem. The Lord says of him that he is a brand plucked from the fire. What does that mean? A brand... Think matchstick. Plucked from the fire... Saved from extinction.


That's a very significant statement as all scripture is.


When this guys went into captivity, they lost the temple and thus the priests became jobless. Slowly by slowly they were feeling useless and maybe wondered what's the point of been called a priest when you have no job?


Then Darius releases them from captivity and all of a sudden they need to step up. There's a possibility that they had broken all the laws of the priestly order. Not offering sacrifices was at the top of the list, the fire at the altar had gone out, all they were supposed to be doing was in theory and not in practicality. They must have felt guilty and filthy. Satan is ready to accuse them for their failures but the LORD steps in, silences him and cleans the slate. He goes further and clothes him with robes. Basically, the old is gone. It's at this point that Zechariah interjects and his input is taken and implemented immediately.


Finally, verse 6 to 10, the Lord through the angel gives a stun charge. It starts with "if..." 


Read that slowly again.


Now I'm tired.


So what's important to us from chapter 3?


1. Because the Lord remembers His promises and His people, He can restore what sin and exile ruined.

2. The accuser of brethren is always standing by to take us down, but the Lord defends his people before he even speaks. Vs 2.

3. Our thoughts matter to God. Vs 5. Zechariah speaks in a meeting which all he had to do was see and take notes, but that which he suggests is immediately actioned.

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Anonymous said…
Awesome l am enlightened
October 14, 2026 at 11:25 AM
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