Zec 3:1-2 | Clarke | e4.org | CHAPTER III While the Jews were rebuilding their temple, their adversaries endeavoured to stop the work , , &c. This vision is therefore calculated to give them the strongest encouragement that God, after plucking them as brands out of the fire (or captivity of Babylon,) would not now give them up, but would continue to prosper and favour them; and that notwithstanding the interruptions they should meet with, the work should be finished under the gracious superintendence of Providence; and their high priest, clothed in his pontifical robes, would soon officiate in the holy of holies , 1-7. The subject is then, by an easy transition, applied to a much greater future deliverance and restoration, of which Joshua and his companions, delivered now, are declared to be figures or types; for that the Messiah or Branch, the great high priest typified by Joshua, would be manifested; and, like the principal stone represented in the vision, become the chief corner stone of his Church; that the all-seeing eye of God would constantly guard it; and that by his atonement he would procure for it peace and pardon , 8-10. NOTES ON CHAP. III Verse 1. And he showed me Joshua the high priest ] The Angel of the Lord is the Messiah , as we have seen before; Joshua, the high priest, may here represent the whole Jewish people ; and Satan , the grand accuser of the brethren. What the subject of dispute was, we perhaps learn from . Michael and Satan disputed about the body of Moses . This could not refer to the natural body of the Jewish lawgiver, which had been dead about one thousand years; it must therefore refer to that body of laws given to the Jews by Moses, for the breach of which Satan, who was their tempter to disobedience, now comes forward as their accuser ; that, exciting the justice of God against them, they may be all brought to perdition. There is a paronomasia here:- Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. ] Satan signifies an adversary . lesiteno , to be his adversary, or accuser.

‏ Zechariah 3:1-2

CHAPTER III

While the Jews were rebuilding their temple, their adversaries endeavoured to stop the work, Ezr 5:3-4, &c.

This vision is therefore calculated to give them the strongest encouragement that God, after plucking them as brands out of the fire (or captivity of Babylon,) would not now give them up, but would continue to prosper and favour them; and that notwithstanding the interruptions they should meet with, the work should be finished under the gracious superintendence of Providence; and their high priest, clothed in his pontifical robes, would soon officiate in the holy of holies, 1-7.

The subject is then, by an easy transition, applied to a much greater future deliverance and restoration, of which Joshua and his companions, delivered now, are declared to be figures or types; for that the Messiah or Branch, the great high priest typified by Joshua, would be manifested; and, like the principal stone represented in the vision, become the chief corner stone of his Church; that the all-seeing eye of God would constantly guard it; and that by his atonement he would procure for it peace and pardon, 8-10.

NOTES ON CHAP. III

Verse 1. And he showed me Joshua the high priest] The Angel of the Lord is the Messiah, as we have seen before; Joshua, the high priest, may here represent the whole Jewish people; and Satan, the grand accuser of the brethren. What the subject of dispute was, we perhaps learn from Jude 1:9. Michael and Satan disputed about the body of Moses. This could not refer to the natural body of the Jewish lawgiver, which had been dead about one thousand years; it must therefore refer to that body of laws given to the Jews by Moses, for the breach of which Satan, who was their tempter to disobedience, now comes forward as their accuser; that, exciting the justice of God against them, they may be all brought to perdition. There is a paronomasia here:-

Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.] Satan signifies an adversary. lesiteno, to be his adversary, or accuser.

Verse 2. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?] The Jews were nearly destroyed because of their sins; a remnant of them is yet left, and God is determined to preserve them. He has had mercy upon them, and forgiven them their sins. Wouldst thou have them destroyed? It is God that hath justified them; who art thou that condemnest them? The Lord rebuke thee! God confound thee for what thou hast done, and for what thou desirest farther to do! It is evident that Jude 1:9 relates to this circumstance-the very same phraseology which occurs here. See Clarke on Jude 1:9, where the subject is largely considered. With difficulty has this remnant escaped, and God will not permit fresh evils to fall upon them, by which they might be totally consumed. This was Satan's design, who accuses the followers of God day and night. See Re 12:10.