READING: Zechariah 1-4, Revelation 18
“The Lord rebuke you, Satan!”
Zechariah 3:2
It’s a great passage of mercy and grace. Joshua, the high priest who represented the people of God, stood before the angel of the Lord, and Satan stood ready to accuse him (Zech 3:1). Joshua was clearly guilty, as evidenced by the “filthy clothes” he was wearing (Zech. 3:3). Apparently, Satan the accuser would have had legitimate grounds to point out Joshua’s sin . . . except that God had a greater plan.*
Before Satan could say anything, the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you!” (Zech. 3:2). Then, the angel told others to remove Joshua’s filthy clothing and clothed him with clean clothing — a dramatic picture of God’s grace. Joshua, forgiven and cleansed, would now be expected to walk in obedience and keep God’s requirements in response to His grace (Zech. 3:7).
Think of the many truths in this passage. First, God is a forgiving God who calls His people to Himself. In the case of Joshua, God’s forgiveness of the high priest was a reminder that God would preserve His people through whom would come the Messiah, the Branch of David (Zech. 3:8). Second, God rules over the enemy. Satan could not speak a word without God’s permission. Third, salvation is God’s gift to us. In the picture that Zechariah paints, Joshua neither removed his old clothing nor clothed himself with the new; the Lord did all of that for him. Fourth, the enemy’s accusations cannot halt the grace of God. God chose to forgive Joshua, and He nullified the grounds on which the accuser stood. Only God can remove our sin, cleanse us, and give us clean clothing when we’re guilty — and the great news is that He does just that for us!
ACTION STEPS:
- Praise God for halting the accuser when he stands ready to accuse you.
- Sing God’s praises today. He’s a gracious God.
PRAYER: “God, I am not worthy of Your love. I kneel before You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Zechariah 5-8, Revelation 19
*portions of this devotion appeared in a previous post on this text
