Zec 3:1-4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Zech 3:1-10: 3:1-10 The prophet’s vision depicts a heavenly courtroom with the prosecuting attorney (Satan) accusing the defendant (Jeshua the high priest) of being unfit for his priestly duties. 3:1 Jeshua was the high priest , the religious leader among those who returned to Judah from exile in Babylon (Ezra 2:2 ). Jeshua partnered with Zerubbabel, the governor of the restored community, in rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple (Ezra 5:2 ; Hag 2:1-5 ). • The Accuser, Satan (literally The satan ) designates a member of the heavenly court whose role is to accuse human beings of wrongdoing, to act as prosecuting attorney (see Job 1:6 ). The adversarial role may be performed by either human or divine beings (see Num 22:22 ; 1 Sam 29:4 ; 1 Chr 21:1 ). By New Testament times, Satan was a personal name for the prince of demons (Mark 3:22 ; 2 Cor 4:4 ; Eph 6:11 ; Rev 20:2 ). • The Accuser’s position of authority in the heavenly court is shown by his standing at the angel’s right hand .

a3:1-10►

b3:1►

cEzra 2:2►

dEzra 5:2►

eHag 2:1-5►

fJob 1:6►

gNum 22:22►

h1 Sam 29:4►

i1 Chr 21:1►

jMark 3:22►

k2 Cor 4:4►

lEph 6:11►

mRev 20:2►

n3:2-3►

o3:4►

p3:4►

‏ Zechariah 3:1-4

Summary for Zech 3:1-10: 3:1-10 ^a The prophet’s vision depicts a heavenly courtroom with the prosecuting attorney (Satan) accusing the defendant (Jeshua the high priest) of being unfit for his priestly duties. 3:1 ^b Jeshua was the high priest, the religious leader among those who returned to Judah from exile in Babylon (Ezra 2:2 ^c). Jeshua partnered with Zerubbabel, the governor of the restored community, in rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple (Ezra 5:2 ^d; Hag 2:1-5 ^e).

• The Accuser, Satan (literally The satan) designates a member of the heavenly court whose role is to accuse human beings of wrongdoing, to act as prosecuting attorney (see Job 1:6 ^f). The adversarial role may be performed by either human or divine beings (see Num 22:22 ^g; 1 Sam 29:4 ^h; 1 Chr 21:1 ⁱ). By New Testament times, Satan was a personal name for the prince of demons (Mark 3:22 ^j; 2 Cor 4:4 ^k; Eph 6:11 ^l; Rev 20:2 ^m).

• The Accuser’s position of authority in the heavenly court is shown by his standing at the angel’s right hand.
Summary for Zech 3:2-3: 3:2-3 ⁿ The Lord is both defense attorney and judge; he censures the prosecution’s arguments, dismisses the case, and declares Jeshua innocent because he has been chosen and cleansed by God.

• Like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire, Jeshua and other Hebrew exiles were plucked by God from near destruction in Babylon.

• Jeshua’s filthy clothes (3:4 ^o) symbolize the guilt and pollution of sin that prompted the divine judgment of exile. The accusations of Satan probably implied that just as a polluted priest was unfit for Temple service, the Hebrews were unfit to be God’s chosen people.
3:4 ^p Take off his filthy clothes: This action dramatizes the removal of sin and guilt from Jeshua and the Hebrew people, restoring them to their former position through God’s cleansing.