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 four 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 fine 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. [4]
The point of all
eight visions is that yesterday is forgiven, and tomorrow is filled with
promise.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
If Satan is accusing you
regarding your past, consider God’s promises concerning your future.
No comments:
Post a Comment