And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Zechariah 3:6-7
I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 3:6-7, which the commentary outlines as the fifth of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10). The commentary first describes this division with the title Satan Wants Us to Feel Guilty When We Are Forgiven. It then shares how the Lord sought to reassure Joshua that indeed his sins were forgiven as Satan seeks to seed doubt in this regard: “ this instance the Lord is countering any lingering accusations of Satan regarding Joshua’s guilt by providing a solemn declaration that the high priest was not only cleansed but ready for renewed ministry.” The commentary then describes two preconditions and three results based on completion of the preconditions: “ The Lord’s “instructions” speak of Joshua’s duty as a priest to fulfill the requirements of his office. In response to Joshua meeting these two conditions, the Lord promised the following results:”
The preconditions included personal righteousness and fulfillment of priestly responsibilities. If satisfied, God would provide Joshua ability to lead God’s people, authority over the temple, and access to God. The commentary for this division concludes with the point that although Joshua’s forgiveness was unconditional, this does not mean that Satan will not continue to seed doubt about how he views us as uncondemned (see Romans 8:1): “ God has great plans for us once we have been cleansed. But Satan wants to make us feel like we are still what we once were. He will bring up our past. He will bring up our failures. He will bring up our weaknesses. He will bring people into our path to discourage us. Or he will stir up our own self-doubts so that we negate ourselves. Once we are forgiven, Satan will often use misplaced guilt—the phantom pain over sin that God has already forgiven—in order to keep us from being used by God. That is why forgiven people need to be reminded of who they have become through Jesus Christ. We are no longer guilty. We are forgiven.”
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You are available to me as promised here - thank You Jesus! What an incredible assurance. I am not deserving of such access and the associated blessings. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
