The King’s Gift

“…I will clothe you with festive robes.”

Zechariah 3:4 (CSB)

In the Old Testament book of Zechariah, we meet a man named Joshua. This isn’t Joshua from the Battle of Jericho. This is Joshua from the post Babylonian exile from Nehemiah’s time. He lived over four hundred years before the birth of Christ.

Joshua was the first Levitical High priest in the rebuilt temple. He helped not only to rebuild the temple, but he encouraged the people and was a faithful follower of the Lord. Read about him in Ezra 5.

One important thing to understand about Joshua is that his story is an image of the story of Jesus. It is a prophecy of the coming Messiah. His name alone is key. The name Joshua or Jeshua is the Hebrew name for Jesus.

In this prophecy of Zechariah, Joshua is standing before the Lord and Satan in Heaven. Satan is accusing Joshua of being filthy with sin, which he is. But Jesus, or an Angel of the Lord, steps forward to prevent Satan from taking another threatening move.

Take a look:

Then he showed me the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan^[a] standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord^[b] said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! May the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

Did you know that Satan stands in Heaven to accuse believers just like that, now? Revelation 12:10. But did you also know that if you have truly been born again that He can’t steal your redemption? Romans 8:33

Jesus has done everything to snatch you and me from the fire. Satan can oppress us and his demons can cause us illness and hardship. We are tempted and face struggle. But our Savior stands at the right hand of God interceding for us just like He did for Joshua. Romans 8:31-35.

In this beautiful vision in Heaven, though this prophecy in context is a promise for Israel, it is absolutely for Gentile believers—the Body of Christ—too.

Look what Jesus does for Joshua.

Now Joshua was dressed with filthy^[c] clothes as he stood before the angel.  So, the angel of the Lord^[d] spoke to those^[e] standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with festive robes.”

Zechariah 3:4 & 5 (CSB)

Our precious Substitute is demonstrating just what He has already done for you and me. Filthy sinners standing guilty and condemned. We have no rights whatsoever to claim any innocence. And yet, because Jesus said, “Take off His filthy clothes! I will clothe you with festive robes.” believers have clean hearts before God because of the Savior of the world. No personal merit was involved.

Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So, a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him in garments while the angel of the Lord was standing nearby.

Zechariah 3:5 (CSB)

The King has given us His most precious Gift.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.

2 Corinthians 9:15 (CSB)

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

How beautiful are the feet of those who share the Good News!