Zechariah 3

Notes

Ver. 1, 2. Satan laboured, by accusations and other means, to render Joshua's ministrations for himself and his people unsuccessful. But Christ, in his Father's name, rebuked the devil, and defended Joshua and the returned remnant of the Jews as persons graciously preserved under, and delivered from, manifold dangers and trials of affliction. 3–5. Joshua's filthy garments represented the sinfulness and miseries of himself and his people; and his change of raiment the pardon of, and reformation from, their sins, and their advancement to glory and honour. 7. If Joshua conducts himself well the high-priesthood shall be continued with him and his descendants, and he shall be highly respected by his fellow-ministers, and at last admitted to the blessed fellowship of angels and glorified saints. 8. Joshua and his fellow-priests were monuments of God's marvellous deliverance from captivity, and were typical of Christ, who, as man, growing up amidst weakness, and bringing forth glory to God and happiness to men, is called The BRANCH. 9. This stone represents Christ as the only foundation laid in Zion, regarded by beholders unnumbered, endowed by God with all eminent gifts and graces, and made perfect by sufferings and glory, that he may be the source of the justification and sanctification of the whole church, and of all the happiness and safety of the world.

Ver. 1. To resist him in his attempts at reforming the idolatrous and immoral practices of priests and people. C.

Ver. 2. The use of Jehovah, the incommunicable name of God, is worthy of special note here. In the first clause it is given to 'the Angel of the Lord,' before whom both Joshua and Satan stood. In the second clause it is applied to God the Father. We are justified in concluding from this that the 'Angel of Jehovah' is the co-equal of Jehovah himself; or, in other words, that the Messiah, Christ, God's Son, is divine. P.

Ver. 4. The filthy garments are not washed, but totally removed, while new and clean garments are supplied. The emblem of regeneration, in which old things pass away and all things become new. C.

Ver. 8. Men wondered at. Typical men—signs, by their present deliverance, of God's future purposes of mercy and restoration to his people. C.

Ver. 9. Upon one stone, &c. 'From out of one stone shall be seven fountains: behold, I will open the orifice thereof' (Boothroyd). A reference, however, to ch. 4. 10, will, most probably, lead to the conclusion that 'seven eyes' is the preferable translation; then, for exposition, let it be recollected that 'seven' is the emblem of perfection in successive workings, terminating in rest; even as the six days of creation were closed by the hallowed Sabbath; that the 'seven eyes' represent the 'seven spirits' of Christ the Lamb, Re. 1. 4; 5. 6, and that these are not seven created spirits, but the seven infinite endowments of the Holy Ghost, Jn. 3. 34, whereby our Lord was fitted for the mediatorial office, Is. 11. 2; see also Zec. 4. 10. C.

Reflections.—Satan never fails to resist and dis courage as far as he can the faithful ministers and worshippers of God. But Christ is our present helper in time of need. And he will be graciously pitiful to our infirmities, and ready to relieve. With him narrow escapes from imminent danger are preludes of, and may be pleas for, further favours. No sinful or distressing pollutions can break his covenant with us. And if our hearts be upright with him, he will bear with our infirmities, and reward our services done in faith. There is sufficient virtue in him to change both our state and nature; and great and lasting will be the honours of his faithful servants.—But how infinitely marvellous are the incarnation, person, and office of our Redeemer! Infinitely marvellous were God's preparations of him for his debased and honorary work, as the only Saviour of men. And infinitely delightful are the pardons, sanctification, peace, rest, and holy fellowship which his people enjoy through him.