Rich Robes, Clean Turban ♡♡♡

"Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 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." And I said let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by" - Zechariah 3: 3-5 NKJV

Back in those days in high school, it was a fairly normal thing to get flogged when you "don mess up" excuse my French :). But there was this little cute thing that would happen sometimes. Someone in love, would rather take those strokes on thier special ones behalf. They just couldn't bear to see thier beloved one hurting.  Can someone say awww! lol. May not be the perfect analogy for what I am talking about this week, but it's kinda close to what happens when God steps in for Joshua the high priest. Prophet Zechariah had seen a vision. Joshua a high priest, standing before the angel of the Lord. And the accuser of the brethren pumped up ready, doing what he does best, ready to oppose him. "you are not worthy, pls take a back seat Joshua"

 

"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! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! is this not a brand plucked from the fire" - Zechariah 3:2 NKJV

I love that last part of the above scripture. The NLT version says "this man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire" WOW! Scripture says that Joshua's clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel of the Lord. I mean this guy was the high priest [a type of Christ]. For anyone who doesn't know what it means to be a high priest. In short summary, the high priest is the only one who can enter into the holy of holies. He offers sin sacrifices from time to time, to atone for the sin of the people. What hope is there for the people then, if the one who stands before the angel of the Lord is being opposed? standing right there in filthy garments.

Scripture says that the Lord rebuked Satan. Joshua's filthy garments were asked to be taken away from him -----> "See I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes" Furthermore a clean turban was asked to be put on his head and they put clothes on him" Zachariah 3:4-5. Oh! what glorious interruption. What awesome turn of events. Oh, what an incredible great save. Ring a bell? Well yea, It is what the blood and sacrifices of Jesus Christ is all about. No one need walk around in filthy garments any longer, except by choice. Listen to what the author of Hebrews says about Jesus our perfect high priest;

"Such a high priest truly befits us-One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once and for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priest men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.." - Hebrews 7:26-28

Yes, Jesus did all of that. Joshua's filthy garments had to be taken away first. His iniquity removed from him. Rich robe and clean turban put on him. A symbol of what Jesus does for you and I and anyone else who accepts the gift of salvation. Isn't it interesting that it was only after this was done to Joshua that the angel admonished him thus? -------> "If you walk in my ways, and if you 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 3:6

Because until God himself removed the iniquity and clothed Joshua in the right garments [i.e garments of salvation], all else he does is an exercise in futility .

"And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:22

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again"  - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

We are not righteous because we try in our strength and in every way to obey God or to be morally right. We first recognize and accept what God has done for us. He alone removes our iniquity. We exchange our filthy garments for his rich robes and clean turban. It is his love that then compels us. Tis how the thing goes. You and I, a picture  "like a burning stick, snatched from the fire" .

Feeling unworthy? None is worthy. Jesus makes all the difference. Care for rich robe & clean turban? The blood of Jesus makes available a pile of those. One rich robe and clean turban for you. Oh and you another clean robe and rich turban for you. Ah yes you also, a rich robe and clean turban for you. Just humble out and accept the free gift of salvation....

Anyone thankful for salvation and committed to walking in the ways of the Lord? Awesome, because indeed it is His great Love that compels us. And if we are not walking in his ways, after we have received the free gift of salvation. Then it begs to question, if we have deeply experienced God's compelling love....

                                                    Something for you to ponder......

Love 

SR