Then [the angel] showed me Joshua the high priest . . . and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. (Zechariah 3:1)Zechariah prophesies eight visions of good things to come among the Judean exiles returned from Babylon. In the first vision (1:7-17) of a man (the angel of the Lord) among the myrtle trees, the Lord affirms it is time for Judah to be forgiven.
In the second vision (1:18-21), four horns (probably the national powers responsible for the destruction and exile of Israel and Judah) are toppled by our craftsmen.
The third vision (2:1-13) depicts a man measuring Jerusalem. He is advised that Jerusalem's population will be too large for a walled city, and that God himself will be Jerusalem's wall of protection.
The fourth (3:1-10) introduces Joshua the high priest, whose robes are soiled, symbolic of Judah's history of disobedience. Satan stands at his side to accuse him, but God decrees Joshua forgiven, in the stead of the nation. I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you (v. 4).
Vision five (4:1-14) describes a golden lampstand with seven lamps, accompanied by two olive trees. The lamp may represent the rebuilt temple, while the olive trees represent Zerubbabel, Jerusalem's governor, and Joshua the high priest. [1]
The point of all eight visions is that yesterday is forgiven, and tomorrow is filled with promise.
When Satan accuses you regarding your past, can you lean on God's promises concerning your future?
[1] Robert B. Chisholm Jr. Handbook on the Prophets (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002), 462.
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