God provides all He requires

Zechariah was a prophet, commissioned by God to encourage and instruct the people of Israel after their return from exile. He was on the scene around the same time as Haggai, Malachi, Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. The returning high priest was a Levite named Joshua.

Zechariah 3 picks up one of his visions, shared by a messenger from God, introduced in the previous chapter as a man with a measuring line. The vision is specific to the high priest Joshua, but representative of the nation, and prophetically pointing to us. It is a great reminder of what God has done for us through His Son, Jesus the Messiah....

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you!”  –Zechariah 3:1-2a (NIV)

God stands between Joshua and the accuser.

Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”  –Zechariah 3:2b (NIV)

After all he’s been through, God still has a purpose for Joshua’s life.

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel.  –Zechariah 3:3 (NIV)

No excuse made or blame placed for Joshua’s dirty clothes. Everyone sees them. They are what they are.

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.”  –Zechariah 3:4 (NIV)

Joshua doesn’t take off his dirty clothes, which represent the sins of himself and the nation. They are removed for him. New clothes will be provided for Joshua; he has not brought his own.

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.  –Zechariah 3:5 (NIV)

The new clothes are the vestments of a priest, the calling God always had for him. The new garments are placed upon Joshua. He doesn’t dress himself.

The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: “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.  –Zechariah 3:6-7 (NIV)

Joshua is promised a place in the presence of God if he leads in faithfulness.

“‘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.  –Zechariah 3:8 (NIV)

The significance of what Joshua is called to extends far into God’s future plans.

“‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”  –Zechariah 3:10 (NIV)

God will restore the people to a point that they are a blessing to neighbors and nations. God provides all He requires. There is nothing He asks of us that we provide on our own. There is nothing He asks of us that is not to our eternal blessing and His eternal praise. Rest in that today.