Bible Commentaries

Zechariah 3:1. Joshua the highpriest standing before the angel of the Lord, to make intercession for the restoration of Israel. This was a figure of Jesus, whose name he bore. And Satan, the adversary, at his right hand, ready to oppose the building of the temple, by stirring up the evil efforts of Sanballat and others.

Zechariah 3:2. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? This chosen minister had been marvellously preserved, and was now plucked as a brand from the fiery furnace of the Babylonian captivity. The hairs of a good man are all numbered. In 1763, a print of the venerable WESLEY appeared, preaching in the open air. On one side was a scroll, exhibiting the burning of the straw- thatched vicarage of Epworth, when this eminent minister, then an infant, was saved from the flames through a window at the gable-end of the house.

Zechariah 3:3. Joshua was clothed with filthy garments. The thread-worn garments of the captivity, and the defilement of sin. These are now changed for the hallowed costume of office, and the robes of righteousness.

Zechariah 3:7. If thou wilt walk in my ways. These words are usually repeated in the renewal of the covenant and promises of God to his people. Genesis 28.

Zechariah 3:8. I will bring forth my servant THE BRANCH. The Chaldaic reads, Messiah, as in Zechariah 6:12-13. Christ emanating from the bosom of the Father, and born of the virgin, is the Branch of David’s root. Isaiah 2:4. Jeremiah 23:5.

Zechariah 3:9. Upon one stone shall be seven eyes. All men looked at the foundation stone of the temple, and all the eyes of angels and men shall be fixed on Christ, as the corner stone of his church. The sevenfold offices of the Holy Spirit are also the admiration of heaven and earth. Revelation 4:5.

REFLECTIONS.

We have a most consoling word of comfort to the highpriest to proceed with the work of the Lord, and equally so to encourage all good men in doing good in their day. It is proper here to remember the remark which St. Peter and St. Jude make upon these words of the angel to the adversary, who represented the enemies of the jews: “the Lord rebuke thee.” The apostles remark upon these words, that since the angels themselves do not pronounce the sentence of condemnation against such as are exalted in dignity, but refer them to the judgment of God; so it is never lawful to revile and speak evil of the higher powers, but that we ought always to speak of them with meekness and respect.