Zechariah 3:3-5 (NIV 1984)
Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”
Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.”
Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.
Truth: God will change your garments in life; He will make you holy!!
Joshua, in the above passage, is the priest and representative of Israel upon their return from exile. Joshua is the chief representative of the people for worship. Since they are returning from the land of exile to rebuild the Temple and to restore the worship, the representative priest (and the people) needed to be purified. Only God can purify. In the preceding verses, Satan makes an accusation to God. Although the accusation is not recored, the implication is that Satan was accusing Joshua as not fit to perform the new established worship in the newly rebuilt temple. God is the ONLY one who can take care of the heart of worship. We might be able to rebuild the place and bring in the people, but true, pure worship is in the Spirit and only God can "clothe" us with "rich garments." This is God's work. By faith we believe He will purify us. We are positionally holy. Practically we are becoming holy. It is God who does both. He removes the old garments and puts us in new garments. In the above passage Joshua gets a new turban on his head. This is the sign of authority. Not only is Joshua clothed in rich garments, he is given the authority he needs to perform his work. God makes sure we are outfitted for our work for Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment