Zechariah 3:1-10

3:1 | This is not Moses’ successor Joshua but a high priest who returned to Jerusalem after the exile (1 Chron. 6:14; Ezra 3:2; Hag. 1:1). Satan, “the accuser of the brethren,” accused this Joshua in much the same manner he did Job (Job 1:9).

3:3-5 | Ultimately, a right standing before God comes only through Christ fulfilling the law on every sinner’s behalf (Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:21).

3:6-10 | Joshua would judge the Lord’s house, meaning that he would preside over the temple and the ministry of the priests. This vision is ripe with messianic promise and fulfillment. Stone occurs throughout the Bible as a messianic symbol (Isa. 8:14; Dan. 2:45; Matt. 21:42; Eph. 2:20). Israel’s future peace (under his vine and fig tree) and redemption rest in none other than the messianic figure foreshadowed in this scene: My servant the BRANCH. The seven eyes may be a symbol of God’s omniscience (4:10).

3:8 | Those familiar with Jeremiah’s prophecies would recognize the BRANCH as the Davidic ruler to come (Jer. 23:5; 33:15). Initially, in Zechariah’s time, this promise was attached to the governor Zerubbabel, who was descended from David (Hag. 2:20-23), but he foreshadowed a greater one to come: the Messiah.