“…And I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.” Zechariah 3:7
Dear Ones:
In the book of Hebrews, we are brought face to face with what is called “…so great cloud of witnesses.” The Bible says that we are compassed about, or surrounded, by them. These are that innumerable multitude of believers that have “witnessed” the glory, faithfulness, and goodness of God, and in turn, have declared and proclaimed it in this world. These are those who have “overcome” the opposition to their witness, who have fought a good fight, have run the race, and have WON. The Scriptures do not declare that they were perfect individuals in their desire and efforts, but they were those who chose to LIVE by faith, a faith without which it is impossible to please God. One of the great blessings of Christianity, not to mention the highest being to know God, is that fellowship with those of like mind and heart. Coupled with that oneness of perspective is the oneness of an Eternal Life, that very life of Christ by the Spirit. What does this have to do with Zechariah, and Joshua the high priest, and consequently with us?
When God gives to Zechariah this vision of Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord, being accused by Satan because of sin, He reveals to us several important things which in turn bring us to see in another way, this blessing of fellowship with those of like mind and heart. First, we can identify with Joshua because of the need to be forgiven, and cleansed from sin. As long as there is a basis for the accuser of the “brethren” to be such, he will use it incessantly to neutralize every believer. With Joshua we identify. But then comes the command to remove ALL his sin and uncleanness, represented by his filthy garments. Here too, we can identify with the greatest of the “giants of the faith,” in that we need to know the reality of ” (Him) making forgiveness feel so sweet.” But then comes the charge…the call to commitment for now and eternity: “If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My charge.” (Zech. 3:7) The call is given primarily so that God can and will work in and through the believer to accomplish His work on this earth, the ramifications extending into eternity. With the acceptance, and the embracing of the charge, comes the consequent specific privilege and responsibility: “…THEN thou shalt also judge My house, and shalt also keep My courts.” (v.7) Here is God’s flock, His people, in need of a shepherd, but one that is led and kept by God. God desires the highest and best for His own, so He looks for a man who will be His in this endeavor. But what about fellowship “with the giants?” The Lord, through Zechariah, then reveals to Joshua this promise: “…and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.” There is not doubt that He is speaking of heaven, and the blessings of fellowship for eternity, among and with the giants of faith and love. But there is also that oneness of spirit and heart, that the believer will know on this earth. The Psalmist writes this: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life evermore.” (Ps. 133:1,3) He is certainly writing of Zion, but also of those who are dwelling together in unity IN ZION. This is fellowship, by the Spirit, when we are all aligned with the will, purpose, and blessing of God. It is indeed, when we walk by faith, living to serve the King by the Spirit according to His will, that He blesses us with wondrous fellowship with “the giants of the faith,” even every brother and sister in Christ.
Dear Father, give us to embrace the cleansing, commitment, and confirmation of Thy blessing and calling. Then we shall know fellowship with Thee, and with brethren of like mind and heart, on this earth, and in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad