Joshua, the High Priest

1Then the guiding angel showed me Joshua the high priest [representing disobedient, sinful Israel] standing before the [a]Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at Joshua’s right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him. 2And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Even the LORD, who [now and ever] has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is this not a [b]log snatched and rescued from the fire?” 3Now Joshua was clothed with [c]filthy (nauseatingly vile) garments and was standing before the Angel [of the LORD]. 4He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And He said to Joshua, “See, I have caused your wickedness to be taken away from you, and I will clothe and beautify you with rich robes [of forgiveness].” 5And I (Zechariah) said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with [rich] garments. And the Angel of the LORD stood by.

6And the Angel of the LORD [solemnly and earnestly] admonished Joshua, saying, 7“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways [that is, remain faithful] and perform My service, then you will also govern My house and have charge of My courts, and I will give you free access [to My presence] among these who are standing here.

The Branch

8Now listen, Joshua, the high priest, you and your colleagues who are sitting in front of you--indeed they are men who are a symbol [of what is to come]--for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the [d]Branch [in Messianic glory]. 9For behold, the [e]stone which I have set before Joshua; on that one stone are seven eyes (symbolizing infinite intelligence, omniscience). Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘and I will remove the wickedness and guilt of this land in a single day. 10In that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and his fig tree [enjoying peace and prosperity in the kingdom].’”

[a] 1 “Angel” has been capitalized here to reflect the likelihood that it is God appearing in a visible form (see note Gen 16:7).
[b] 2 The log represents the returned Jews who had nearly been consumed by the “fire” of the Babylonian captivity.
[c] 3 Symbolic of Judah’s (the Southern Kingdom) disgusting sins.
[d] 8 A Messianic title.
[e] 9 Probably typifying the Messiah.