6 Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, 7 “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.
Verses 6-7 are a charge to the high priest Joshua.
Verses 8-10 cover the interpretation of the symbolism of the vision to Joshua.
3:6
Then the Angel of the Lord admonished [charged] Joshua, saying,
The Angel of the LORD charged Joshua, the high priest, to meet two conditions for blessing.
3:7
“Thus says the Lord of hosts:
The LORD here gave Joshua’s recommission after a sinful condition (filthy robes).
‘If you will walk [live] in My ways,
The LORD presented two conditions to Joshua: first, he was to personally walk in fellowship with God with integrity and, second, he was to perform his official priestly duties (Nu 3:7).
The reinstatement of Joshua the high priest was conditional on whether he walked with the LORD. He had to do this by following God’s “ways” or standards and principles for life.
And if you will keep My command [charge],
Joshua was to perform the priestly duties previously prescribed in the Bible. He was to be faithful to his role as high priest.
Then you shall also judge My house,
If Joshua met the two conditions of verse 7, then God promised him three blessings:
-he would serve with authority in the temple,
-he would protect the temple, and
-he would receive access to God.
“Judge My house” may refer either to the entire nation of Israel or the Temple. Joshua would have the privilege to judge the nation regarding issues of truth and morality. Priests decided legal matters pertaining to the Temple (Deut 17:9; Ezek 44:23-24).
And likewise have charge of My courts;
The second promise to Joshua was that he would have responsibility for the Temple area. “Charge of My courts” pertains to the protection of the Temple from idolatry and other defilements. The “courts” were the Temple precincts. Joshua would administer the entire Temple area.
I will give you places to walk Among these [angels] who stand here.
Third, Joshua would have the privilege to walk among angels (Zech 3:4). Those were angels that removed Joshua’s filthy garments. The promise is that he would walk with the angels in the Temple itself.
PRINCIPLE:
Christians have a High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us.
APPLICATION:
Christians today have the superior priesthood of Christ to represent them before God (He 4:14-16). All of us have our filthy rags (Isa 64:6). However, Jesus cleansed us by His shed blood and gave us a robe of righteousness (2 Co 5:21). We can come boldly to our High Priest in the time of need.
