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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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Zechariah 3:3
Comments
What does that mean? Well, we are not surprised that his garments, his priestly robes, should be filthy, because it clearly represents the priesthood up until that time. In the decades and the centuries immediately preceding the Babylonian captivity they were all under judgment, from people to priests. They have been hypocrites and idolaters, and practiced every kind of uncleanness. So Joshua, representing the people as well as the priesthood, is seen in filthy garments. But now a better time has come. God has now turned his anger and he is going to bless and rebuild the temple. At first Zechariah would have been surprised to find the high priest in filthy garments, for usually the high priest wore garments that were ‘holy garments’ (Exodus 28:2) and did justice to the great high priest who he represented, the Lord Jesus Christ. But now Joshua is being considered not for who he represents but for who he is in himself.
Application
The inadequacy of the Old Testament priesthood is being emphasised. God is saying, everybody in my sight is a sinner. Some think they will be blessed because they are born Jews or because of the religion given to them. This vision is finding a way of breaking through that self-confidence: even the high priest must ask for forgiveness and be given a new righteousness, otherwise there is no hope. It is about the absolute necessity of evangelical conversion. All these New Testament concepts are being patiently taught.
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