Zachariah 3:1-10 - CLEAN GARMENTS FOR THE HIGH PRIEST

A COURTROOM SCENE COMES INTO VIEW
THE HIGH PRIEST STANDS BEFORE THE LORD
HIS FILTHY CLOTHES OF NATIONAL SHAME
HAS GIVEN RISE TO SATAN'S BLAME.

A SUDDEN HUSH FILLS ALL THE ROOM
THE VERDICT'S WORD REVEALS THEIR GUILT
A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE MUST NOW DEMAND
THE FULL EXTENT THE LAWS COMMAND.

IN THEIR DEFENCE GOD TAKES HIS PLACE
AND SHOWS A LAMB TO FILL THEIR SPACE
THEN HE REBUKES THE SERPENT'S HEAD
BY LIFTING JUDAH FROM THE DEAD.

"REMOVE THOSE FILTHY GARMENTS NOW
FOR JOSHUA STANDS ON HOLY GROUND
I HAVE FORGIVEN ISRAEL'S SIN
AND FOR THEIR SAKE I WILL BE KING!"

THE PICTURE JOSHUA ILLUSTRATES
WITH EXCREMENT UPON HIS ROBES
REFLECTS IDOLATRY AND PRIDE
THAT JUDAH'S NATIONAL GUILT IMPLIED.

THE CALL WENT FORTH FOR ALL TO HEED
TO CLEANSE THEIR LIVES FROM EVIL DEED
SO WHEN THE TEMPLE WAS COMPLETE
ALL PRAISE WOULD CROWN HIS MERCY SEAT.

THEN JOSHUA AND HIS FELLOW PRIESTS
SYMBOLIC OF EMANUEL'S BRANCH
WILL BE A NATION BORN TO REIGN
THROUGHOUT MESSIAH'S WORLD DOMAIN.
--B. PENT

THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. THE COURT ROOM SCENE FINDS JOSHUA REPRESENTING ISRAEL AS THEIR HIGH PRIEST WHILE STANDING BEFORE THE ANGEL OF THE LORD. WHAT PICTURE WAS MEANT IN JOSHUA'S FILTHY GARMENTS?

2. WHAT MEANING IS IMPLIED IN VERSE 2 Yahweh STATES: "iS NOT THIS MAN A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE??

3. iN WHAT WAYS DO VERSES 1-4 PARALLEL GOD'S DEALING IN GRACE WITH US TODAY/ WHAT ASSURANCE AND HOPE DOES IT GIVE US?

4. WHAT DO CLEAN GARMENTS AND A CLEAN TURBAN ON JOSHUA'S HEAD REPRESENT FOR ISRAEL'S PRESENT AND FUTURE? NOTE A SIMILAR PICTURE GIVEN TO THE CHURCH TODAY FROM 1 PETER 5:4; 2 TIMOTHY 4:8; AND REVELATION 2:10.

5. WHO IS SYMBOLIZED BY THE BRANCH? WHAT DO THE SEVEN EYES ON A STONE REPRESENT? AND, WHEN IS THE TIME YAHWEH REMOVES "THE GUILT OF THIS LAND IN A SINGLE DAY? (VS.8-10)