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The Angel of the Lord
So far, in Zechariah 3, we’ve focused on two personages, Satan and the high priest Joshua. But there’s a third personage, clearly the central figure in the narrative: “the Angel of the Lord.”
Who is “the Angel of the Lord?” See Exod. 3:2–14, Zech. 3:1, 2.
What we see here, in a graphic form, is a microcosm of the great controversy, a battle that is waged over every soul who has given his or her life into the hands of Jesus, the Lord, in faith and repentance. Remember the context: Israel, severely chastised, “humbled themselves before God, and returned to Him with true repentance.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 468. It was at this time that Satan’s work as the accuser was revealed. What exactly he said, we aren’t told, but given biblical history, given what we know about human nature, it probably wasn’t a pretty picture.
Read Zechariah 3:1–3. What does the reality of Joshua’s garments tell us?
The fact that Joshua as the high priest was deemed the one in filthy garments only highlights the depth of sin. From the earliest days of the covenant between God and Israel, the priesthood as a whole, the Levites, and the high priest in particular were special even among the chosen nation, called out by the Lord for a unique role and function in Israel, a holy role and function (Exod. 38:21, Num. 1:47–53, 3:12). They, of all Israel, should have been symbolically in the cleanest of garments.
All that aside, the rest of the chapter makes it clear that, despite their past, despite their shortcomings, “the Angel of the Lord” is there to defend them against the accusations of Satan, regardless of how true or false those accusations are. “The Angel of the Lord,” Jesus, is there to save and redeem. This is, without exception, the most important truth in all Scripture.
How crucial that we never forget, regardless of our unworthiness, the role of “the Angel of the Lord” in our behalf. How can we keep this truth before us at all times, yet not deceive ourselves by drawing false conclusions from it? What might some of those false conclusions be? Be prepared to discuss your answer in class on Sabbath.
| TUESDAY | May 24 |
So far, in Zechariah 3, we’ve focused on two personages, Satan and the high priest Joshua. But there’s a third personage, clearly the central figure in the narrative: “the Angel of the Lord.”
Who is “the Angel of the Lord?” See Exod. 3:2–14, Zech. 3:1, 2.
What we see here, in a graphic form, is a microcosm of the great controversy, a battle that is waged over every soul who has given his or her life into the hands of Jesus, the Lord, in faith and repentance. Remember the context: Israel, severely chastised, “humbled themselves before God, and returned to Him with true repentance.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 468. It was at this time that Satan’s work as the accuser was revealed. What exactly he said, we aren’t told, but given biblical history, given what we know about human nature, it probably wasn’t a pretty picture.
Read Zechariah 3:1–3. What does the reality of Joshua’s garments tell us?
The fact that Joshua as the high priest was deemed the one in filthy garments only highlights the depth of sin. From the earliest days of the covenant between God and Israel, the priesthood as a whole, the Levites, and the high priest in particular were special even among the chosen nation, called out by the Lord for a unique role and function in Israel, a holy role and function (Exod. 38:21, Num. 1:47–53, 3:12). They, of all Israel, should have been symbolically in the cleanest of garments.
All that aside, the rest of the chapter makes it clear that, despite their past, despite their shortcomings, “the Angel of the Lord” is there to defend them against the accusations of Satan, regardless of how true or false those accusations are. “The Angel of the Lord,” Jesus, is there to save and redeem. This is, without exception, the most important truth in all Scripture.
How crucial that we never forget, regardless of our unworthiness, the role of “the Angel of the Lord” in our behalf. How can we keep this truth before us at all times, yet not deceive ourselves by drawing false conclusions from it? What might some of those false conclusions be? Be prepared to discuss your answer in class on Sabbath.
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