For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH

The first vision places Joshua the high priest in the centre of a court, with the presence of angels, Satan and the Lord. The Lord was rebuking Satan. Also He gave His approval on Joshua and changed his filthy rags with rich robes. This symbolizes the removal of his sins, and is now covered with clean clothes given by God. The symbolism of covering of sins like putting on new clothes is also used in other parts of Scripture.

Next, the angel spoke to Joshua to admonish him to walk in God's ways and obey His commands. If he does so, he will be given responsibility to judge and take charge of God's house. Then the BRANCH, or Messiah, is also mentioned. So Joshua is to lead God's people spiritually in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.



Zechariah 3
Vision of the High Priest

1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”

5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.”

So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.

The Coming Branch

6 Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, 7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts:

‘If you will walk in My ways,
And if you will keep My command,
Then you shall also judge My house,
And likewise have charge of My courts;
I will give you places to walk
Among these who stand here.
8 ‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest,
You and your companions who sit before you,
For they are a wondrous sign;
For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.
9 For behold, the stone
That I have laid before Joshua:
Upon the stone are seven eyes.
Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’
Says the Lord of hosts,
‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10 In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts,
‘Everyone will invite his neighbor
Under his vine and under his fig tree.’”