A Brand Plucked from the Fire

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Zec 3:1 “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?”

In this amazing scene we see Joshua, the High Priest of that day, standing before the Lord. Satan is also there, right at his side, right in his face, ready to accuse (as he always does!). Even though Joshua was the High Priest, yet by his own works he is pictured as standing in filthy garments. So no wonder Satan was ready to accuse! “Is this your High Priest? Is this the best you’ve got? Is this the one who represents the entire nation? This sinful dirty disgusting creature?” I’m sure he is doing the same with you and me. “Look at what that child of yours! What a vile creature!” But the Lord rebuked Satan then as He does now saying “Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

This is an interesting picture. A brand is a burnt shouldering piece of wood. It is blackened and isn’t particularly useful for any purpose or of any worth. It would be completely burnt unless someone plucked it from the fire. That, my friend, is a picture of you. It is also a picture of me. And yet, God reaches down and saves that brand, us, from the fire. What others regard as unworthy of their heed is dear and priceless to the great Lover of souls!

And look also at what the Lord does in the next verses. The dirty clothes of Joshua are replaced with rich robes! Here we have the robes of righteousness and the garments of salvation that cover every true believer!