Zechariah speaks of the cleansing and service of Joshua, the high priest at the time of the return from Babylonian captivity. He also points to the coming of the BRANCH and the redemption of the land of Israel.

What Does It Say?

1. Joshua stood before the angel clothed with ___________ garments.
2. The Lord commanded those who stood before Him to set a fair _______ on Joshua’s head and clothe him with ___________.
3. The angel of the Lord warned Joshua, “If thou wilt walk in my ________, and it thou wilt keep my ___________,” then “I will give thee places to walk among these that __________ by.”
4. The stone to be laid before Joshua will have upon it _________ eyes.
5. God promises to remove the iniquity of that land in one _________.

What Does It Mean?

1. Joshua is called “a brand plucked out of the fire” (v.2). A brand is a stick that is partially burned. What is this a picture of? What does this tell us about Joshua?
2. Joshua is to have his filthy garments removed and is to be given a change of raiment (v.4). What does this change of garment picture? When do we spiritually get our garments changed? Can you think of any other places in the Bible where getting a change of garments is significant” (HINT: There are many places.)
3. The Lord declares, “I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH” (v.8). This is one of the Old Testament types of Jesus Christ. Look up the following references and explain what you think they say about Jesus Christ: Zechariah 3:8Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
   See All...; 6:12
   See All...; Isaiah 4:2In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
   See All...; Isaiah 11:1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
   See All...; Jeremiah 23:5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
   See All...; Jeremiah 33:15In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
   See All...).

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. This story (v.1) shows us that Satan is about the business of resisting the work of God and the people of God. He is the adversary of the saints (1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
   See All...) and the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
   See All...). How does he go about resisting us? How should we respond to him? See Zechariah 3:2And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
   See All...; Matthew 4:3-4 [3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. [4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
   See All...; James 4:7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
   See All...; Jude 1:9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
   See All.... Perhaps you can think of some other verses.
2. If Joshua will remain faithful, he is promised that he will be given “places to walk among these that stand by” (v.7). Who are the ones that stand by? See Daniel 7:16I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
   See All...; Zechariah 3:5And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
   See All...; 4:14
   See All.... What is their purpose and why is walking among them a special blessing? How might we benefit from this same promise?

Suggested Memory Verses

Zechariah 3:2And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
See All...; Zechariah 3:8Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
See All...