A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE

ZECHARIAH 3:1

A. "IS NOT THIS A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE?"
  1. In reading the first three verses of the third chapter of Zechariah, one cannot help but recognize the great controversy between Christ and Satan:
    1. Satan, the accuser of the brethren, is ever ready to expose the weakness of God's children - Rev. 12:10
    2. The Son of God, on the other hand, seeks to cover His children with the robe of His righteousness - Isa. 63:10; 1 Cor. 1:30
  2. The outcome of this controversy is the important point in this lesson:
B. A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE
  1. The accused:
    1. "He shewed me Joshua the priest" -
      1. The spiritual leader of Israel - Ex. 28:29
      2. He wore the breastplate with the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
      3. Also, the Urim and Thummim, symbols of light and justice - Ex. 28:30
    2. Condition of the accused -
      1. He appeared in filthy garments - Zech. 3:3; Isa. 64:6
      2. That meant that the high priest was sinful and defiled: this, the adversary of God's people knew and used against Him - Matt. 15:19; Isa. 6:5
  2. This experience shows that the devil watches the lives of God's people:
    1. He knows when God's professed people are beset with open or secret sins.
    2. He is ever ready to expose them to discredit God's plan to save man from sin.
    3. He says to the world, "behold the sins and shortcomings of God's children!"
    4. That is what he did with the sins of King David and his son Solomon.
    5. That is what he did with the sin of Hezekiah when the messengers from Babylon came to hear about the miracle of healing.
    6. "Satan stood at his right hand" -
      1. The role of Satan, in this instance, is very similar to his attitude in the experience of Job.
      2. Going about and seeking whom he may devour - 1 Pet. 5:8; Job 1:7
      3. "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" - 1 Pet. 5:8
C. A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE
  1. "The Lord rebuke thee, Satan":
    1. Satan may attempt to hide the fact that he himself is under sentence for murder - John 8:44; Ezek. 28:12-18
    2. The saints, that he seeks to accuse day and night, will pass judgment upon him - 1 Cor. 6:1-3; Rev. 20:1-6
    3. He also ignores the fact that God has found a ransom for sinners - Job 33:24
  2. "Take away the filthy garments from him":
    1. We have seen already that all our righteousness is as filthy rags - Isa. 64:6
    2. All are under sin - Gal. 3:23; Rom. 3:23
  3. "Behold I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee":
    1. God has a way to free us from the guilt of sin - Isa. 6:5, 6
    2. There is an open fountain against all uncleanness - Zech. 13:1
    3. The precious blood of Jesus Christ is that fountain - 1 John 1:7-9; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19; Rev. 1:5
  4. "Set a fair mitre upon his head":
    1. This was always the crowning act in the consecration of the high priest for his office.
    2. This means that God had accepted the consecration of the man for the office of the priesthood.
    3. When the battle is over, God will have all those washed in the blood of Christ receive a crown of glory - 2 Tim. 4:7, 8


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