A BRAND PLUCKED FROM THE FIRE

Lesson 9 for May 28, 2011

A. Cyrus commanded the Jewish to return to Babylon to build Jerusalem (year 537 BC)• “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All

the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.” (Ezra, 1: 2)

B. The governor Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua coordinated the building of the altar (year 536 BC)• “Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his

brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brethren, arose and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.” (Ezra, 3: 2)

C. The foundations for the Temple were laid with praises and tears (year 536 BC)• “When the builders laid the foundation of the

temple of the LORD, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel.” (Ezra, 3: 10)

D. The enemies of Israel prevent them from building the Temple for 15 years (until 522 BC)• “Then the people of the land tried to

discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building,… Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.”(Ezra, 4: 4, 24)

HISTORIC FRAMEWORK

THE CALLING OF ZECHARIAH

Zechariah and Haggai were called to the prophetic ministry in the second year of the reign of Darius (520 BC) to invigorate the reconstruction of the Temple and Jerusalem.

God called an ancient prophet (Haggai) and a young one (Zechariah) so the urgent call could be announced to everyone who had returned from Babylon.

THE CALLING: A FAIR GODZECHARIAH, 1: 1-6

God introduces himself to Zechariah as a fair God; He reminds the people of Israel that they were taken captive because of their disobedience, not because of a divine whim.

He urged them to come back to God and not to make their parents’ mistakes again.

“Therefore say to them, `Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Return to Me," says the LORD of hosts, "and I will return to you," says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah, 1: 3)

1st VISION: A MERCIFUL GODZECHARIAH, 1: 7-17

The Samaritans urged Smerdis --king of Persia-- to stop the reconstruction of the Temple and Jerusalem.

Everybody was quiet; nobody was doing anything (v. 11)

But God had not forgotten His people. His great compassion would make the building of the Temple and the prosperity of Israel possible.

“Therefore thus says the Lord: "I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it," says the Lord of hosts, "And a surveyor's line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem” (Zechariah, 1: 16)

2nd VISION: AN AVENGING GODZECHARIAH, 1: 18-21

The fair and merciful God would not let those who had taken advantage of the people of Israel go unpunished.

“And I said, "What are these coming to do?" So he said, "These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it."” (Zechariah, 1: 21)

Zechariah Zechariah

3rd VISION: A GOD OF PROMISESZECHARIAH, 2: 1-13

Some of the calls and promises that are given to the church in Revelation were already given to the people

of Israel in that time:The calling to come out of Babylon.

(Zechariah 2: 7) Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.

The special protection of the people of God.

(Zechariah 2: 8) For this is what the LORD Almighty says: "After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you --for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye.”

The victory of the people of God over the wicked.

(Zechariah 2: 9) For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.

The song of the redeemed.

(Zechariah 2: 10) "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," says the Lord.

The throne of God in the New Jerusalem.

(Zechariah 2: 11-12) Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.

4th VISION: A FORGIVING GODZECHARIAH, 3: 1-10

The accused: Joshua the high priest (don’t mistake him for Joshua the successor of Moses). Joshua represents the people of Israel in this context.

The accuser: Satan.

The defense lawyer: The angel of the Lord --Jesus himself-- is next to Joshua to defend him.

He comes before God with all his sinfulness; he cannot allege any merit.

He doesn’t need to lie about the guilty of the accused since showing his sins is enough.

He reprimands Satan and protects Joshua as a “brand plucked from the fire”

THE FILTHY GARMENTSJoshua is holy --separated for God--, but his garments are like filthy garments before God, highlighting his sinfulness and the sinfulness of all the people who he represented.

“Joshua, standing before the angel of the Lord with defiled garments, represents those whose religious life has been faulty, who have been overcome by Satan’s temptations, and are unworthy of God’s favor. Today human beings stand before God with defiled garments. All their righteousness is “as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Satan uses against them his masterly accusing power, pointing to their imperfections as evidence of their weakness. He points scornfully at the mistakes of those who claim to be doing God service. They have been deceived by him, and he begs for permission to destroy them”

E.G.W. (This day with God, August 5)

CHANGE OF GARMENTS: JUSTIFICATION“Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes."” (Zechariah, 3: 4)

It is important to notice that the angel is who cleans Joshua from sin.

There are no merits in us, our sins can only be washed away by the sacrifice of Jesus.

“The Angel of the Lord”, Jesus, is there to save and redeem. This is, without exception, the most important truth in all Scripture.

RICH GARMENTS: SANCTIFICATIONIn addition to the rich garments, a turban with the inscription “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” is placed on Joshua’s head.

We received a call to holiness and obedience once our sins are washed away, and not before that.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: `If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among these who stand here.`” (Zechariah, 3: 7)

Zechariah was told how to obtain sanctification later: “`Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah, 4: 6)

“We shall have done nothing worthy of life. Jesus the sinless died, having done nothing deserving of death. The sinner is saved without having done anything worthy of salvation. He is wholly without merit. But clothed with the spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness, he is accepted by God. The living way has been laid open. Life and immortality have been purchased by Christ. Through obedience to God’s commands sinners may find pardon and peace”

E.G.W. (The Bible Echo, May 21, 1900)