THE JOSHUA COMMISSION AND MY SERVANT THE BRANCH

THE JOSHUA COMMISSION AND “MY SERVANT THE BRANCH” Zechariah 3: 1 -10

Zechariah 3: 1 -5 The Joshua Indictment and the Burning Brand Rescue

Zechariah 3: 6 -10 The Joshua Commission and the Seven-Eyed Single Stone Salvation

KEY PLAYERS IN THE 4 TH VISION 1. Joshua the High Priest 2. Attending Angel 3. The Angel of the LORD 4. Burning Brand Plucked from the Fire 5. My Servant the Branch 6. The Seven-Eyed Rock 7. The Colleagues of Joshua

SERMON SPOTLIGHT • The particular problem being addressed in the fourth vision in Zechariah 3: 1 -10 is the failure of the nation to live up to the Mosaic contract. • They had broken the covenant. God had judged them accordingly. Now what? What does the future hold for the post-exilic people of Israel in the plan of God, seeing that the Mosaic covenant had been broken?

THE MESSIANIC MISSION § The MESSIANIC MINISTRY of Jesus in the Four Gospels is best understood in the light of the prophecies in Zechariah, Zechariah 3: 1 -10 in particular. § The repentance and holiness prerequisite is the key theological underpinning to the FIRST COMING and the SECOND COMING of Christ.

ZECHARIAH: THE NEW NORMAL § REPENTANCE and HOLINESS in accord with the Mosaic Law system was to precede the restoration of the KINGDOM in the Messianic Plan of God.

ZECHARIAH: THE NEW NORMAL § TEMPLE WORSHIP and the PURSUIT OF HOLINESS under the auspices of the HIGH PRIEST is the NEW NORMAL for post-exilic Israel.

ZECHARIAH: THE NEW NORMAL § JOSHUA as the High Priest of Israel was commissioned to care for the spiritual life of the nation in preparation for the coming of the MESSIAH (Christ).

THE JOSHUA COMISSION § The HIGH PRIESTS of Israel in subsequent generations also had the responsibility of preparing the people for the coming of MESSIAH THE BRANCH.

THE JOSHUA COMISSION § A CLEANSED and HOLY PRIESTHOOD was charged with leading the nation further and further into holiness as preparation for the coming of the Messiah (Branch). § REPENTANCE and HOLY LIVING are to precede the restoration of the KINGDOM in the Messianic Plan of God.

THE NEW NORMAL IN ISRAEL § Joshua as the High Priest of Israel is commissioned to govern the spiritual life of the nation in preparation for the coming of the Messiah (Christ). § The post-exilic world of the Jew will now be centered in temple worship under the supervision of the High Priest.

READ THE TEXT: ZECHARIAH 3: 1 -5 ZECHARIAH 3: 6 -10

Zechariah 3: 1 -5 The Joshua Indictment and the Burning Brand Rescue

THE JOSHUA EPISODE § The removal of the filthy garments from Joshua symbolizes the removal of the sinfulness of the nation and the necessary cleansing of the nation that will precede the MESSIANIC KINGDOM. § The FIRST COMING of Christ made possible the cleansing and forgiveness of sins of ISRAEL and the whole WORLD.

THE JOSHUA EPISODE § The dressing of Joshua in “pure vestments (priestly garments)…clean turban” represents the holiness wherewith the LORD will dress the nation of Israel at the time of the SECOND COMING.

BURNING BRAND RESCUE § The angel of the LORD who represented the LORD and speaks for the LORD, twice rebuked Satan for bringing accusation against Israel. § The accusations are apparently valid. Israel had failed miserably under the Mosaic contract. But this in no way means that God has permanently deleted Israel from the Abrahamic Promises.

BURNING BRAND RESCUE § Post-exilic Israel is “a brand (burning stick) plucked (SAVED) from the fire” and rescued from total destruction by the judgment of God. § This rescue of Israel as a burning brand represents the Messianic Mission of Christ. His job is to rescue and restore Israel to blessing as promised in the Abrahamic covenant.

BURNING BRAND RESCUE § The failure and consequent judgment under the Mosaic covenant does not invalidate the sovereign CHOICE of Israel in the plan of God. § The choosing of Israel is based in GRACE and not merit; in the promises of Abrahamic Covenant and not in the legal requirements of the Mosaic Covenant.

Zechariah 3: 6 -10 The Joshua Commission and the Seven-Eyed Single Stone Salvation

JOSHUA COMISSION The angel of the LORD solemnly commissioned Joshua: 1. Walk in my ways (personal holiness of life). 2. Keep my charge (faithfulness in priestly duties in the temple worship system). 3. Rule my house (temple) and maintain my courts in the temple (in preparation for the coming of the Messiah).

JOSHUA COMISSION § Joshua and his priestly colleagues are a sign to Israel when the BRANCH (Messiah) eventually comes to the temple to deliver Israel and reign as king over Israel.

JOSHUA COMISSION § Joshua and his priestly colleagues will dwell in the land enjoying the MESSIANIC BLESSINGS of peace and prosperity brought to them by the MESSIANIC BRANCH.

THE NEW NORMAL IN ISRAEL § Joshua as the High Priest of Israel is commissioned to govern the spiritual life of the nation in preparation for the coming of the Messiah (Christ). § The post-exilic world of the Jew will now be centered in temple worship under the supervision of the High Priest.

THE SEVEN-EYED SINGLE-STONE SALVATION § Zechariah is shown a SINGLE STONE with seven eyes. An inscription as a memorial is etched into the stone. § It reads, “I will remove the iniquity of this land in a SINGLE DAY. ” This day (Second Coming) will bring blessing to the people of Israel in the land of Israel (Messianic Kingdom).

THE SEVEN-EYED SINGLE-STONE SALVATION § Christ is the stumbling stone and rock of offense at His FIRST COMING. § Christ is the smiting stone to the nations at His SECOND COMING.

THE SEVEN-EYED SINGLE-STONE SALVATION § Christ is the cornerstone to the church in the CHURCH AGE. § Christ is the salvation stone for all who BELIEVE IN HIM.

LIVING LESSON 1. The prophecies of Zechariah help to explain the story of Jesus in the four gospels in relation to Jerusalem, the temple, and the people of Israel at His FIRST COMING.

LIVING LESSON 2. The prophecies of Zechariah also help to understand the events of the RETURN of Christ to Israel and the World at His SECOND COMING.

LIVING LESSON 3. Thus, the better we understand what the Bible says about the MESSIANIC MISSION of Jesus, the better we will be able to understand our SALVATION in Christ, and the greater our JOY will be as we walk our pilgrim pathway in the here-and-now.

DIGGING DEEPER

JOHN THE BAPTIST § JOHN THE BAPTIST was the forerunner of the Messiah whose job was to prepare the way for the Messiah (Christ). § The father of JOHN THE BAPTIST was a Leviticus priest in Israel of the division of Abijah. His mother was of the high priestly family of Aaron.

• JOHN THE BAPTIST did his FORERUNNER work by preaching to the people the need for repentance and holy living in order for the Messianic kingdom to be established in accord with the prophesies of Zechariah.

JESUS AND THE TEMPLE § Jesus began His public ministry at the temple in Jerusalem wherein He presented His Messianic claim before the priestly leadership of the nation of Israel.

LIVING LESSON 1. The prophecies of Zechariah help to explain the story of Jesus in the four gospels in relation to Jerusalem, the temple, and the people of Israel at His FIRST COMING.

LIVING LESSON 2. The prophecies of Zechariah also help to understand the events of the RETURN of Christ to Israel and the World at His SECOND COMING.

LIVING LESSON Thus, the better we understand what the Bible says about the MESSIANIC MISSION of Jesus in His FIRST and SECOND coming, the better we will be able to understand our SALVATION in Christ The better we understand our salvation in Christ the greater our CONFIDENCE and JOY will be as we walk our pilgrim pathway in the here-and-now.