The book of Zechariah contains numerous visions and prophecies about the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile. One of these visions, found in Zechariah 3:1-10, involves a figure named Joshua who is depicted as standing before the angel of the Lord. Understanding who this Joshua was is important for properly interpreting the meaning of the vision.
Most biblical scholars agree that the Joshua mentioned in Zechariah 3 was Joshua the high priest, who had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon with Zerubbabel to lead the rebuilding of the temple. This Joshua is the same person mentioned in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah as overseeing the reconstruction of the temple after the exile (Ezra 3:2, 8; 4:3; 5:2; 10:18; Nehemiah 7:7; 8:7; 12:1, 7, 10).
There are several reasons why this Joshua is understood to be the high priest:
- He is directly called “Joshua the high priest” in Zechariah 3:1.
- He is depicted as standing before the “angel of the LORD,” a phrase typically denoting a prophetic vision.
- He is shown wearing filthy garments that are replaced with clean festal robes and a turban (Zech. 3:3-5), symbolic of his role as high priest.
- He is called a “brand plucked from the fire” (Zech 3:2), referring to God’s deliverance of the high priesthood line from extinction.
- The vision is connected to the temple, as Joshua is promised a place to walk among those standing by (likely angels) if he is faithful (Zech. 3:6-7)
Beyond these textual clues, the Jewish historian Josephus also identifies this Joshua as the high priest in his record of the post-exilic period. Given the timing of Zechariah’s prophetic ministry, all evidence points to Joshua the high priest as the figure in this vision.
Why was Joshua the high priest the subject of such an extensive vision in Zechariah 3? As the spiritual leader of Israel’s returning remnant, Joshua played a pivotal role in reestablishing the worship of Yahweh. His moral purity and obedience would be essential for Israel’s hopes of covenant renewal. This vision highlights God’s desire to cleanse Joshua from sin and empower him to lead the people faithfully.
The vision has several key elements that develop this theme:
- Joshua stands accused by Satan, reflecting accusations of impurity (Zech 3:1)
- God rebukes Satan and chooses Jerusalem, showing divine election (Zech 3:2)
- Joshua’s filthy clothes are removed, symbolizing cleansing from sin (Zech 3:3-4)
- He is given rich garments and a turban, representing restoration to office (Zech 3:5)
- He is admonished to walk faithfully and keep God’s requirements (Zech 3:6-7)
- A promise is given of a coming “branch” who will remove iniquity in one day (Zech 3:8-10)
Together this paints a picture of God’s desire for holiness among spiritual leaders like Joshua, and His provision of cleansing and empowerment to achieve it. The vision offers assurance of God’s help to restore true worship, foreshadowing a coming day when sin would be decisively dealt with.
In summary, the Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-10 was Joshua the high priest during the early post-exilic period. This vision highlights God’s choice of Joshua and desire for him to lead Israel in purity and faithfulness. The cleansing and clothing with rich garments represent God’s provision for holy leadership. The message would have greatly encouraged Joshua and the returning exiles to pursue renewal of true worship in anticipation of the Messiah who would one day come.
Other details that can be highlighted about Joshua the high priest in Zechariah’s vision include:
- He was the son of Jehozadak (Hag. 1:1), who was taken into exile when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem (1 Chr. 6:15).
- He was born in exile in Babylon and returned to Judah in 538 B.C. with Zerubbabel.
- He helped oversee the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, which was completed in 516 B.C. (Ezra 5:2).
- He is depicted in Zechariah 3:1-10 as needing moral and spiritual renewal to lead appropriately.
- He served during the time of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, who encouraged the people in rebuilding.
- He was already elderly when he returned from exile, since he had adult sons (Ezra 3:9).
- He helped inspire spiritual revival under Ezra and renewal of the covenant (Neh. 7:72-8:1).
- He was ancestor to later high priests Eliashib and Joiakim (Neh. 12:10, 12, 26).
This historical context helps shed light on why Joshua was chosen for such an encouraging symbolic vision of cleansing and restoration in Zechariah 3. God wanted to revive the high priestly line essential for Israel’s worship life. The promises given to Joshua would be fulfilled in later spiritual renewals and ultimately in the greater High Priest, Jesus Christ.
The vision of Joshua the high priest in Zechariah 3 gives a small glimpse of God’s abundant grace and determination to see His people purified and restored. Even amidst the ruins of Jerusalem, with such a tiny, discouraged remnant returning, God reaffirms His choice of Jerusalem and continues the priestly line. This vision powerfully resonates with God’s commitment to provide cleansing from sin and fresh starts to all who turn to Him.
Joshua the priest stands as symbolic of all God’s chosen servants who must walk faithfully after being cleansed and clothed in righteousness. Through His gracious provision, the Lord takes weak and failing leaders and turns them into men and women able to serve His purposes. The coming Branch mentioned promises hope of an even greater High Priest who would accomplish complete atonement.
As the first high priest to serve in the second temple, Joshua was a forerunner for Christ as supreme High Priest. Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s intention to fully deal with sin and make holiness possible. The vision given to encourage Joshua was a dim foreshadowing of the cleansing from sin and rich garments of righteousness Jesus would provide to make possible a temple “not built with human hands.” Joshua could only minister in a temple of stone and wood, but Christ ministers eternally in the lives of believers.
One key lesson from Joshua’s vision is that holiness is essential for leaders yet impossible apart from the cleansing only God provides. Joshua could not serve acceptably in his filthy clothes, representing the sin and impurity that easily entangles all who serve God. Yet God in His grace chooses to remove the filth, dress us richly in Christ’s righteousness, and equip us for faithful service in His kingdom.
The truth displayed in Zechariah’s vision remains relevant today. All believers sometimes become stained and tattered in their walk with Christ. We need the Lord to remove the filthy, confining garments of sin and shame and restore us to purity. And He graciously does this through Christ’s sacrifice, providing us priestly garments that allow us to walk uprightly.
Zechariah’s vision highlights the immense comfort given to anyone who feels the negative accusations of the Enemy, the sins which chain them down, and their inability to stand before God. Like Joshua, we are all “brands plucked from the fire” (Zech. 3:2) by God’s grace. We stand only because of what Jesus did on the cross and through His constant heavenly intercession as our great High Priest.
Joshua was symbolic of all God’s people-Positioned before the Lord for service yet unable to serve rightly in his own efforts and righteousness. But Christ bore our sins so we could be clothed in His righteousness and enabled to minister as priests in God’s kingdom.
If even the high priest Joshua needed spiritual renewal, cleansing, and fresh clothing, how much more do ordinary servants of God need the only true High Priest, Jesus Christ? He removes our filthy, confining garments of sin and clothes us daily in the splendid, liberating robes of His righteousness.
Joshua’s story reveals that when God chooses and calls people to serve Him, He takes it upon Himself to cleanse, sustain, and empower them. Our weak frame and tendency to become stained do not deter God from using us. Rather, He patiently removes the filth, clothes us again in Christ’s righteousness, reminds us of His gracious choice, and continues His purifying work in us by His Spirit’s presence.
The vision in Zechariah 3 would have greatly encouraged Joshua that despite his former exile, his advanced age, his people’s weaknesses, and his own deficiencies, God had decisively intervened to equip him thoroughly for holy service. What was true for Joshua remains true for Christ’s followers today-We are all divine works in progress, chosen, cleansed, and being perfected for useful service in God’s kingdom.
Joshua was symbolic of Israel at her lowest point-Discouraged, feeble, struggling to reestablish worship in ruins, and feeling the sharp sting of the Adversary’s accusations over past sins. Yet God had mercy and gave comfort, assurance, and help. He removed the rags of the past, provided rich garments of righteousness, and established Jerusalem again in His heart and purposes.
This amazing grace shown in Zechariah’s vision reveals our Savior’s endless patience and commitment to restore His people completely. Despite failures and weaknesses, God never gives up on those He chooses and calls. We are always just one repentant prayer away from being cleansed, renewed, and empowered again for meaningful service in His kingdom.
Joshua was indicative of the potential pitfalls leaders face-Pride over position, complacency, hypocrisy, and failure to impact as shepherds. Joshua the high priest had returned from exile but still needed renewal and cleansing to lead appropriately. His clothes of ministry were stained and insufficient. But thankfully, Yahweh is in the business of recovering and restoring leaders who stray but repent.
Leaders must recognize their constant need for revival and cleansing from the Lord. Our service clothes become pathetically stained and torn without daily washing by God’s Word and Spirit. But He stands ready to strip away our filthy righteousness and clothe us afresh in Christ’s splendid garments so we can minister uprightly and effectively again.
Joshua’s example teaches leaders that we should never presume immunity from stumbling or needing spiritual repair and renewal. Our tendency is to become proudly independent and forget our reliance on Christ’s daily cleansing for fruitful ministry. But the Lord is gracious to show us our stains, repair our clothes, restore our souls, and reappoint us to continue shepherding His flock faithfully.
Zechariah’s vision powerfully displays God’s commitment to the extensive spiritual repair often needed for leaders to fulfil their calling. Joshua felt the sting of the Enemy’s attacks and wore the dirty robes of compromise. But God graciously removed the filth, provided priestly garments, and renewed Joshua for upright service. This healing process is available to fallen leaders who fully repent.
Another lesson from Joshua’s experience is that position does not automatically equal purity. Leaders must maintain a humble dependence on God’s cleansing and not presume their title grants immunity from stains. Joshuas ancient clothing dilemma represents how serving the Lord requires constant repentance and renewal in holiness. Ministry garments easily become filthy without genuine connection to Christ, our cleansing stream.
Joshua’s example shows that true fruitfulness in ministry depends entirely on receiving and walking in God’s gracious provision of repentance, cleansing, and new spiritual clothing. No leader can serve well or lengthy wearing their own stained robes. We all desperately need the Lord’s perpetual washing and wardrobe renewal through the righteousness of Christ.
In conclusion, the elegant vision in Zechariah 3 held great meaning for Joshua and all God’s people. This dramatic object lesson represented God’s providence in:
- Preserving the priestly line from extinction in exile
- Reviving the priesthood to lead rebuilding efforts
- Reinstating the high priest despite failures and impurity
- Renewing His servant through forgiveness and cleansing
- Restoring Joshua to his office with new garments of service
- Recommitting to holiness as essential for spiritual leadership
Centuries later, another Joshua (Jesus) would arise as the perfect High Priest and the true temple where God meets with people. Joshua’s vision was a step in God’s redemptive plan fulfilled completely in Christ’s atoning sacrifice and resurrection victory.
