Another Best Robe Story

I have seldom delved into the old testament minor prophets, but God took me there this morning...to Zechariah! Chapter 3:1-7 takes us into the throneroom of God...one of the few places where God and Satan talk face to face. And they are talking about Joshua the high priest. As you read this, think of the prodigal son...he stands before God, Satan, and the angel of God in filthy clothes. This is not how high priests are supposed to be dressed. They wear linen ephods and wash all the time. But this guy is not clean before the Lord. Israel has sinned and he along with them. But Zechariah is the prophet of restoration of God's rule in Israel...He is the compassionate father restoring the corrupted son. We are told that Satan is standing there to accuse Joshua. That is his role in the world, to accuse sinners before a Holy God. He fell and stands in rebellion and has been cursed to hell for all eternity some day, and he plans on taking as many people with him as he can. See, God, they sinned, too! Condemn them as You condemned me! But God is merciful. He rebukes Satan in His own Name! Then he describes Joshua's condition...he was partially burnt...a burning stick rescued from the fire. He was filthy, covered with the ashes and soot of the smoldering burn. The angel was told to take the filthy garments off of him. From him. And then He told Joshua, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal (rich, new, clean) robes. Then I said,”Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by.” God then charged him to fulfill his duties as a priest so God could bless him in many ways.

Satan sounds like the older brother in the prodigal son story, accusing his younger brother of not being worthy to wear the robe he had been given. God restored this sorry excuse for a priest to full function even though he had been charred by the sinfulness of himself and his nation. But we will all face that fire someday...1 Corinthians 3 says our works will be measured with the fires...to see what they were made of and if they had any eternal merit. And that some people will be saved, but as those who are plucked from the fire, says Jude 23, saying that we should hate even the garment polluted by the flesh. It is amazing that scripture is so consistent. God hated the dirty garments, and they must be plucked from the fire if they are true believers who are going astray. Those who were not saved He roundly pronounced judgment on and condemned. Those who failed in life, but truly trusted God, were salvaged, but there is loss- he himself will be saved, but as through fire. 1Cor. 3:15 This is to be expected of God. He lets us do what we will do, but when we get burned, he pulls us out before we are destroyed. He is merciful as a Father in doing that. 2 Tim 2:26, which tells us that Satan holds us captive to do his will, kind of like a kidnapped prostitute or drug dealer. The threat that they are told...the consequences of trying to escape, seem overwhelming and keep them captive though many could flee at some point. They have to come to their senses and escape the snare, like those who plead with them to some to safety. Nothing has changed in the thousands of years since these verses were written. The battle to escape the captivity (and the flames) continues, and God grants them the repentance that leads to life. They are plucked from the flames and they are cleaned up.

The thing that could not be salvaged was the clothing...the cloth would have been ruined by flame, smoke, and soot. The cloth would have to be replaced. If you have ever had a fire, trying to get smoke damage out of textiles is quiet a chore, even with modern technology. Again, God does not pass out second-hand clothes. He reclothes us in the righteousness of Christ, and that is no small, inexpensive thing. The blood of Christ is priceless, so the garments of righteousness are the same. We are restored to being what God had called us to be, and clothed. Reclothed to serve God, and to come back to the place of blessing. That is mercy...that is amazing grace.