Zechariah 3

Zechariah 3:1

SHewed me Joshua] In a vision. The end whereof is to shew, that in the restauration of the Temple, and of the service of God, it was first of all necessary to have those persons, which were to be employed therein, reconciled to God, and cleansed from the pollution which they had gotten in Babylon: And that likewise the Church, represented here by Joshua, a chiefe officer of it, should be readmitted into Gods favour, to the end that the service which she should yeeld to him, might be accepted: which is figured by a forme of judgement, wherein Joshua is by the Lord absolved, and afterwards sanctified.

standing] Like unto a man accused before a Judge.

before the angel] Namely, before the Sonne of God, who is both Judge and Advocate, and defender of those that beleeve in him, in this judgement, 1 John 2:1.

Saan standing at his right hand] That is, an adversarie. The adversarie, the malicious accuser of the faithfull to God: against whom he complains, pretending to be zealous of having justice done though he be onely moved through an envious, and malignant rage, Revelation 12:10. See Psalms 109:6. Job 1:6. which act agreeth with his name in Hebrew in this place.

to resist him] Heb. to be his adversarie. To frustrate his prayers and intercession, by interposing his most bitter accusation against him and the Jews. What this accusation was, appears plainly by the 3. and 4. verses.

Zechariah 3:2

the LORD said unto Satan] Namely, the Sonne of God, who was before called Angel.

The LORD rebuke thee] Jude 1:9. That is, my everlasting Father rebuke and confound thee, in this malitious opposition which thou makest against my Church. See Jude 1:9. the same words spoken upon an other occasion.

that hath chosen Jerusalem] Hereby is intimated and shewen the chiefe foundation and ground of the Churches absolution; here represented by Joshua: which is, that God from all eternitie, hath out of his meere grace chosen his elect to salvation, Romans 8:33.

is not this a brand pluckt out of the fire]. Namely, this small company which Joshua represents, a reservation of my grace, which I have reserved out of my people, whom I have caused to passe through the fire of my judgements? Amos 4:11. See Romans 11:5. And therefore towards them my decree of grace shall stand firme and invariable.

Zechariah 3:3

with filthy garments] Or, vile garments: An ordinarie sign of sinne. as a white and cleare garment is a signe of Christs righteousnesse, put on by faith: and of the regeneration of the spirit to newnesse of life. See Ezekiel 16:8. 10. Revelation 3:4. 18. & 7. 14.

stood before the angel] Christ did not abhorre his presence, nor reject his service: so gratious is he to respect his Saints, notwithstanding their many infirmities, and to accept their obedience, though mingled and stained with much corruption.

Zechariah 3:4

unto those that stood before him] Namely, to the created Angels, his ministers to shew that Christ, who onely hath power to forgive sinnes, doth therein imploy the holy Ministery for an instrument. See 2 Corinthians 5:18.

Take away the filthy garments] In respect of the glorious garments and precious stones that the Priests did weare before the captivitie: and by this contemptible state the Prophet signifieth that these small beginnings should be made excellent when Christ shall make the full restitution of his Church.

I have caused thine iniquitie to passe from thee] This hath relation to two spirituall effects: The one is, that by Christs satisfaction, sinne is taken away from before the eyes of God: that is, is not imputed to condemnation: though the corruption be not altogether blotted out in man, during this life. See Psal. 32. 1, 2. The other is, that Christ his merit, and righteousnesse is applyed to the beleever to life; and that by his Spirit he putteth on the new man in righteousnesse and holinesse, Galatians 3:27. Colossians 3:10.

Zechariah 3:5

Let them set a faire mitre upon his head] A priestly ornament for the head, Exodus 28:4. to shew that God besides his grace, which was common to all the members of his Church, did also adorn him with the gifts of his Spirit, befitting his Priestly charge, that the dignitie of the Priest-hood might be perfect. This was fulfilled in Christ, who was both Priest and King; and here all such are condemned that can content themselves with any meane reformation in religion.

stood by] As it were to have this his sentence put in execution. Whereby is signified Christs assistance to the work of the Ministery: As, to that also seemeth to be referred his speaking alone in this place: to shew that he alone doth all the work, and doth all things in all men, and that he can alone pronounce the sentence, and comfort the soule by his Spirit.

Zechariah 3:7

charge] Or, ordinance.

then shalt thou judge my house] I will keep thee in thy Priestly degree: of which the two chief parts were the government in Ecclesiasticall businesses, and concerning the worship of God, according as it is set down in the Law, Deuteronomy 17:12. 2 Chronicles 19:11. and the chief and continuall ministery of holy things

I will give thee] After all this I will gather thee up into my heavenly glory with mine Angels, the likenesse of which thou beholdest here in this vision.

places] Heb. walks.

Zechariah 3:8

thy fellows] Namely, the inferiour Priests.

for they are men wondred at] Heb. men of wonder. I have appointed you to be in your own persons and actions, a sign and representation of my Churches reestablishment by the Messias, of which I will give you a particular instruction.

for behold] He giveth a reason why he had tearmed them signes and figures: namely, because that in Christ was the accomplishment.

I will bring forth] I will shortly send my Sonne into the world, who shall take upon him the forme of a servant, to accomplish the work of redemption, Philippians 2:7.

my servant] Isaiah 42:1. & Isaiah 52:13. Ezekiel 34:23.

BRANCH] Isaiah 11:1. Jeremiah 23:5. & Jeremiah 33:15. Chap. 6. 12. Luke 1:78. A frequent name of the Messias. See upon Isaiah 4:2.

Zechariah 3:9

For behold] The end of the sending of my Son shall be to lay the foundation of my Church upon him, who was the fundamentall and corner stone, Psalms 118:22. Isaiah 28:16. figured by some especiall stone which was solemnly put into the fabrick of the Temple, and in the presence of the Priests, when it begun to be built up again. See Chap. 4. 7. 10.

upon one stone] Isaiah 28:16. As that materiall stone hath been set in the sight of Joshua, and of other Priests: So shall the eyes of my providence, 2 Chronicles 16:9. which is infinite and universall, here signified by the number of seven, Chap. 4. 10. and 5. 6. & 9. 1. be alwayes fixed upon Christ, to maintain, favour and cause him to prosper in his Kingdome. See Isaiah 42:6. and Isaiah 49:8. and Isaiah 51:16.

I will engrave] Words of God the Father, who hath appointed his Sonne to be Mediatour, and hath conferred upon his humane nature all the gifts of his Spirit, for to performe it. See Daniel 2:34. 44. Hebrews 9:11.

I will remove the iniquitie] As in Joshua, newly made fi to undertake the Priesthood againe; I have sanctified all my Church: So by one onely oblation of my Sonne, who was eternally consecrated High Priest, I will purge all the sinnes of my Church. See Hebrews 9:12. & Hebrews 10:12. 14.

in one day] This is opposite to the figurative sacrifices, which were many times reiterated. See Hebrews 7:27. & Hebrews 9:26. 28. and 10. 10.

Zechariah 3:10

shall ye call every man] A figure of the spirituall peace and rest of the Church, redeemed, and reconciled to God by Christ, Mic. 4. 4.