The Book of Zechariah was produced about 519 BC, in the early Persian period. It seems to me that Zechariah is largely overlooked and out shined by the major prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, but has some outstanding wonders within, seemingly even telling us the name of the future messiah! (from about 519 BC.).
In chapter 3 we see the high priest (Joshua). —
“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and (the)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 fine 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.”
It is further written—
The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: 7 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me 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, High Priest Joshua, you 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 your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
There are a number of wonderful things here that point to Jesus, our Savior. Firstly, look at the very name of this high priest…which is “Joshua”. This name is basically just a form of “Jeshua” and “Yeshua” (and “Jesus”). These are all merely shortened forms of the original Hebrew name. Each form points toward salvation. Also this same high priest (Chapter 6) becomes a king. Like the Lord Jesus, he is both a priest and king. Next, we see that the priest is carrying sin, represented by filthy garments (sin), but afterwards he has clean garments. Jesus Christ carried the sins of the world… Verse 8 tells us that Joshua and his men are symbolic of things to come, indeed a coming “branch” (see Jeremiah 33:15). In the Hebrew (Zechariah) text for “branch” we find “semach” which is a “twig” or “sprout” of growth, so it does point to Jesus as the true vine in the Gospel of John. Even the “stone” with seven eyes, points to the divine Jesus as he is the chief corner stone. This is a brief commentary and much more can be stated but enough is here for a good bible study as many things in Zechariah point toward Jesus.
pastor Zomok