Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
• In discouraging days the Lord speaks to help and encourage His people (1:1).
• Return to me, declares the Lord Almighty, and I will return to you (1:2-6).
• The Lord is among His repentant people, is committed to them, and will bless them (1:7-17).
• Whatever powers are raised against God’s people, the
Lord will raise His power and His representative to oppose them and throw them down (1:18-21).
• Be glad, be ready, wait expectantly. God has assured a glorious future for Jerusalem and its people (2:1-14).

Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
These truths are a great encouragement…
…but encouragement can quickly turn to discouragement!
The returnees may have been encouraged by
Zechariah’s visions 1-3…
…but then they remembered ... their sin!
The 4 th vision addresses this issue.

Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
The Fourth Vision:
Clean Garments for the High Priest (3:1-10)
Joshua: the High Priest representing the people before the Lord.
The Angel of the Lord: the Lord Jesus.
Satan: the Accuser/Adversary.
What happens in the vision may be summarized under three commands:

Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
1. Be Clean! (3:1-5)
Joshua is dressed in filthy clothes representing his and the people’s sin.
The Lord removes the filthy clothes and replaces them with rich garments.
Sin is taken away and righteousness is put on.
By His grace, the guilt of the Christian’s sin is dealt with – justified by faith.
If Satan accuses you, remind him you are clean!
(Romans 5:1, 8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
2. Be Holy! (3:6-7)
Joshua was given a charge to walk in the Lord’s ways – live a holy life.
Joshua was given a charge to keep the Lord’s requirements – fulfill the duties of priestly office.
All Christians are priests
(1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:4-6).
The same charge is given to Christians today.

Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
Justification by faith removes the guilt of our sin.
Progressive sanctification removes the pollution of sin in our lives.
We are called to pursue holiness in life and to discharge the duties of our office (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Be on guard against the unholy trinity of the world, the flesh and the devil.
They will seek to promote un-holiness in your life.

Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
3. Be Expectant! (3:8-10)
These verses are laced with Messianic promise.
Study these verses!
Joshua and his associates are symbolic of things to come, 3:8 cf. Hebrews 7:26-27.

Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
The Servant - Messianic title used by Isaiah (Isaiah
49:6; 53ff).
The Branch (Isaiah 11:1) Through Him the Lord will fulfil His Covenant promises.
The Stone - May be a Messianic reference (Isaiah
28:16 cf. 1 Peter 2:6).
Do you recognize Jesus as the fulfilment of these prophecies?
Good Friday 3:9d. This happened when Jesus died on the Cross.
First & Second Coming of Messiah 3:10. This refers to the time when the Lord’s salvation is revealed.

Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
Conclusion—Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant!
What a glorious message of hope and encouragement and challenge!
What a glorious invitation to anyone who is not a
Christian!
In days of discouragement what a glorious encouragement and challenge to Christians.
You are clean before God by His grace. Pursue holiness … and wait expectantly!
Your Saviour is coming and you will reign with Him.