Iniquity Removed In One Day

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan!’” [1]

Satan accuses God’s servants. [2] He especially attacks those who stand as priests before God to intercede for others! Those who help others to discern between the holy and unholy! Thankfully, the Lord rebukes Satan from opposing His chosen servants.

“And He said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” [3]

God removes the iniquity of His priests and gives us rich robes, even the robe of righteousness. He does this through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

“For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.” [4]

The etymology of Nazareth (the name of the town Jesus grew up in) has been said to derive from the Hebrew word נצר netser, meaning a “sprout” or “branch.” The “ee” ending added to a word in Hebrew means “my.” So, when people called Jesus the Nazarene, it sounded as if they were calling Him, “Jesus My Branch.” Indeed, Jesus is the Branch spoke of by the prophets. Isaiah referred to Jesus as the Branch that would grow out of Jesse’s roots. [5]

“And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” [6]

Jesus Christ is the One who removed the iniquity of the land in one day. He did it by His bitter suffering and death on the cross when He became a sacrifice for our sins.

The Lord gave His prophet a vision of two olive trees and explained to him, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” [7]

These anointed Ones! These are the two hands of God. Jesus, His Son, (God’s Word made flesh) and the Holy Spirit, the very breath of His mouth. God is our victory over sin and Satan. In God, sin and the works of darkness are overcome. In God, righteousness, and holiness spring forth.

The Apostle Peter put it this way, “Him [Jesus] God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” [8]

[1] Zachariah 3:1-2
[2] Revelation 12:10
[3] Zachariah 3:4
[4] Zachariah 3:8
[5] Isaiah 11:1
[6] Zachariah 3:9
[7] Zachariah 4:10, 14
[8] Acts 5:31-32