Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The filthy clothes with which Joshua the high priest was attired represented three levels of guilt -- his own personal sin (through acts such as allowing his descendants to intermarry with non-Jews (as noted in Ezra 10:18)); the guilt of the whole Aaronic priesthood; and the sins of the entire nation. The removal of the filthy clothes foreshadowed the cleansing from sin to be provided to followers of Christ through faith in His atoning death and resurrection.

October 31 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho

Zechariah 3:3: Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

Zechariah the prophet had a vision given to him by the Lord: Joshua stood clothed with filthy garments before the Lord and (among “these” that stand by) His angels. (Zec 3:7) Joshua, being the high priest, was standing daily ministering and offering burnt sacrifices for the worshipers and prayed for them but had a filthy robe (garment) on him. Satan, who stood on the right hand to resist Joshua, was leading him, for they were the brand that was plucked out of the fire for the gates of hell prevailed against them, for the mystery of iniquity was working to deceive mankind, but the one who restrained was the Lord with His angels for Joshua. (2 Thess 2:7)

Being a high priest, he had to walk in the ways of the Lord and keep His charge with the congregation, for when Ezra the high priest prayed and confessed to the Lord there came a great congregation confessing that they trespassed against the Lord. As they found also among those, the sons of Joshua had taken strange wives. (Ezra 10:1,18) Being restrained by the Lord and having His angels around Joshua, he led his iniquity to pass away from him and to clothe him with rich robes of wisdom. (Zec 3:4) This led him to walk along these places where angels stand by Him to guard him.

Being given the robes of wisdom, he was told to walk in the ways of the Lord and keep His charge of commandments being the chosen people of God. These commandments spoken by our Lord lead the one who is chosen to do according to the Word of God to judge His house with wisdom, which will then lead him to keep His courts around him. Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt, who cried out for water and then was told by the Lord to speak to the Rock that stood by Him, lifted his voice and said, “Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?” For then Moses could not go into the promised land. (Num 20:10-11) For many a time, we tend to worship the work of our own hands as Moses did.

2 Thessalonians 2:7: For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

February 16 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Zachary Campbell

In Zechariah 3:3, Joshua the high priest is depicted wearing "filthy clothes" as he stands before the angel of the Lord. This imagery carries significant symbolic weight within the passage and offers deeper spiritual interpretations. Here are some key points to consider:

**Literal Meaning:**

* **Priestly Garments:** The high priest traditionally wore clean and ornate garments while performing their duties. These symbolized purity and holiness, essential for approaching God.
* **Filthiness:** The "filthy clothes" signify the opposite - impurity, sin, and spiritual uncleanliness.

**Symbolic Interpretations:**

* **Personal Sin:** This could represent Joshua's personal transgressions, reflecting flaws within the priesthood itself.
* **Collective Guilt:** It could symbolize the sins of the entire nation, with Joshua bearing the burden as their representative.
* **Human Condition:** More broadly, it might convey the universal human experience of sin and imperfection, falling short of God's standards.

**Deeper Spiritual Meaning:**

* **Divine Forgiveness:** The angel commands Joshua's filthy clothes to be removed, signifying God's forgiveness and cleansing power. This foreshadows the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who offers atonement for sin.
* **Renewal and Restoration:** The cleansing and dressing in new garments symbolize spiritual renewal and restoration. This offers hope for individuals and the entire nation.
* **Transformation by Grace:** It emphasizes that outward righteousness is insufficient; true purity comes from God's grace and transformation.

**Additional Perspectives:**

* Some interpretations connect the filthy clothes to specific historical events like the Babylonian exile and its impact on the priesthood and nation.
* Others link it to Zechariah's overall message of rebuilding and restoration, highlighting the need for spiritual cleansing before undertaking physical reconstruction.

Ultimately, understanding the significance of Joshua's filthy clothes depends on your chosen interpretation and theological framework. Regardless of the specific interpretation, it remains a powerful symbol that speaks to the themes of sin, forgiveness, cleansing, and God's transformative grace.

Remember, this is just a starting point, and further exploration with different resources and perspectives can be fruitful.

February 17 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report