When God Showed Up in Zechariah 3.
Joshua contributes nothing but his need. God supplies everything else. Righteousness is not earned here — it is bestowed.
When God Showed Up in Zechariah 3
Zechariah 3:1–10
Joshua stands in the presence of God — unfit to be there. His garments are filthy. Not accidentally stained, not lightly soiled, but defiled in a way that cannot be hidden or excused. He does not speak. He knows what he is wearing, and he knows where he stands.
And Satan stands beside him. The accuser does not need to invent lies. The clothes say enough. But before Joshua can be condemned, God speaks.
“The LORD rebuke you, O Satan … Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”
Joshua is silent. The verdict is rendered before the defense is even offered. This courtroom is a sanctuary where mercy reigns. Then something astonishing happens.
God does not tell Joshua to clean himself up or send him away to become worthy. He doesn’t lower the standard of holiness. Instead, God removes the garments.
“See, I have taken your iniquity away from you.”
Note carefully what is taking place. Joshua’s sin is not being covered — it is taken away. And in its place, God clothes him in pure vestments. This is not reform. This is what we call imputation.
Joshua contributes nothing but his need. God supplies everything else. Righteousness is not earned here — it is bestowed. Holiness is not achieved — it is given. And then God speaks.
“I am bringing My servant, the Branch.”
The clothing of Joshua is not the only story here — it is pointing us to something greater. The Branch is coming, the One who will bear the weight of sin fully and finally. Joshua stands cleansed because Another will one day stand condemned in his place.
A future day is promised — a day when iniquity will be removed completely. Not temporarily. Not symbolically. Entirely.
God defends us before our accusers. He is a God who restores before He defends — a God who cleanses sinners so He can commission saints.
Joshua is not made worthy by obedience — he is made worthy for obedience. Like each of us: we stand filthy, accused, and silent — and God answers on our behalf. He rebukes the accuser, removes our guilt and clothes us in righteousness that is not our own.
God does not wait for us to become clean. He makes us clean so that we may stand.
