A Burning Stick

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan 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 rich 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 my ways 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. 8 ” ‘Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.

9 See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.

10 ” ‘In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

Zechariah 3:1-10

Joshua was filthy with sin. He was also standing in God’s Presence. Satan, the Accuser, was at his right side.

Here is redemption! Satan is rebuked. Joshua is clothed with rich garments to wear, replacing his filthy ones. And a mission is given. A stewardship. All of this is done by the Lord.

I am Joshua. I have the mantle, the responsibility, the position of ‘high priest.’ I stand before God for my family and my church family. This responsibility also means that I stand before them representing God. And, like Joshua, my priestly garments have been filthy with sin and the Accuser stands at my right side, doing what he does best, I suppose.

But my God is the Champion of the universe; the Redeemer of people and I, too, have been redeemed! Satan is rebuked. Filthy clothes are exchanged for beautiful ones and I am given a mission. The change is to walk in the ways of God and keep His requirements. To have an empty life replaced with a meaningful one – what redemption!

Dear God – You are awesome! My Redeemer and the Lover of my soul, I love You. Strengthen me and give me the wisdom and heart necessary to be Your priest. Help me represent You well to the people in my life and to walk humbly with You this day.