Oct 19, 2025 “Cleaned, Called, and Chosen”(Zechariah 3:1-7)

Zechariah 3:1-7 New International Version

Clean Garments for the High Priest

3 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan^[a] standing at his right side to accuse him.

² The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

³ Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel.

⁴ The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”

Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”

⁵ Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.

⁶ The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua:

⁷ “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.

1. Zechariah 3:1 Hebrew satan means adversary.

Cleaned, Called and Chosen

Zachariah 3:1-7

 

In the book of Zachariah, the prophet Zachariah is given eight visions. In chapter three, we read about the fourth vision, which concerns Joshua the High Priest.  

 

Joshua was a good high priest who brought the people back to God. However, in the beginning of the vision we see that Joshua is dressed in filthy clothes.. Although Joshua has been saved by God, his old sins cling to him.  

 

Zechariah 3:1-3 ESV

[1] Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. [2] And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” [3] Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments.  

 

Satan accuses Joshua, but before Satan can continue, the Lord rebukes Satan. He orders angels to remove the filthy clothes to be replaced with clean clothes and a clean turban.  

 

Zechariah 3:4-5 ESV

[4] And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” [5] And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by.

 

God is declaring that Joshua now belongs to God. God does not just forgive us, He restores us. For us, we should remember that God has saved us now. He has restored us now, and we need to live for God now.

 

But our restoration also includes a new identity. This restoration is also a new mission with a better purpose. There is work to do and we are commissioned to do this.

 

Zechariah 3:6-7 ESV

[6] And the angel of the Lord solemnly assured Joshua, [7] “Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.  

 

We might think that our past sins will prevent us from serving God. Or we might think that we can never be saved because our sins are too great. God's mercy is greater than our sins. Not only that, God wants us to work with Him.

 

God sees in us potential that we cannot see. We are to work with God and to serve Him in obedience.  No, we cannot live the lives that we want to, but by walking with Jesus, we can live the lives that God made us for

 

Forgiveness is calling. We are called to be forgiven and to become the people that God had originally intended us to be. That is why we are restored. The restored are not to be still, but to be busy in God's world.

• God Is Good All The Time
• Every Giant Will Fall
• Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me