Sunday
November 20
1. A DISCOURAGING SITUATION
a. After the Babylonian captivity, what was the main source of discouragement to the little remnant of Israel who had returned to their homeland? Zechariah 1:12.
“The people [of Israel] were awakened to see their guilt, they humbled themselves before God, and returned to Him with true repentance. Then the Lord sent them messages of encouragement, declaring that He would deliver them from their captivity and restore them to His favor. It was this that Satan was determined to prevent. A remnant of Israel had already returned to their own land, and Satan was seeking to move upon the heathen nations, who were his agents, to utterly destroy them.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 468.
b. As He saw their affliction, how did the Lord warn them through the prophet not to repeat the errors of their forefathers? Zechariah 1:4–6.
“The steady advancement made by the builders of the temple greatly discomfited and alarmed the hosts of evil. Satan determined to put forth still further effort to weaken and discourage God’s people by holding before them their imperfections of character. If those who had long suffered because of transgression could again be induced to disregard God’s commandments, they would be brought once more under the bondage of sin.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 582.
Monday
November 21
2. ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE LORD
a. How did the Lord comfort the little remnant with a prophetic message? Zechariah 2:10, 11. To what future event did the Lord refer? Isaiah 60:1–5; Revelation 21:24–26.
b. Through what vision did the Lord encourage Zerubbabel, their leader? Zechariah 4:1–6, 9.
c. How did the Lord seek to encourage Joshua the high priest and the people, giving them the spiritual assurance that they needed? Zechariah 3:1, 2.
“In vision the prophet beholds ‘Joshua the high priest,’ ‘clothed with filthy garments’ (Zechariah 3:1, 3), standing before the Angel of the Lord, entreating God’s mercy in behalf of his afflicted people. As he pleads for the fulfillment of God’s promises, Satan stands up boldly to resist him. He points to the transgressions of Israel as a reason why they should not be restored to the favor of God. He claims them as his prey, and demands that they be given into his hands.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 583.
d. What was the only thing that Joshua the high priest could do in the presence of Satan’s accusations? What is our only hope since we are in a similar predicament? Proverbs 28:13.
“The high priest cannot defend himself or his people from Satan’s accusations. He does not claim that Israel is free from fault. In filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to their repentance and humiliation, and relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer. In faith he claims the promises of God.”—Ibid., pp. 583, 584.
Tuesday
November 22
3. OUR GREAT NEED: A CHANGE OF RAIMENT
a. How did Joshua, the representative of the people, stand before the Angel (who was Christ)? Zechariah 3:3. How do we stand before the Lord in our own righteousness? Isaiah 64:6; Revelation 3:17.
“Today human beings stand before God with defiled garments. All their righteousness is ‘as filthy rags’ (Isaiah 64:6). Satan uses against them his masterly accusing power, pointing to their imperfections as evidence of their weakness. He points scornfully at the mistakes of those who claim to be doing God service. They have been deceived by him, and he begs for permission to destroy them.
“But they trust in Christ, and Christ will not forsake them.”—This Day With God, p. 226.
b. How did Joshua become qualified to minister before the Lord? Zechariah 3:4, 5. What must we do before we can be approved? Revelation 3:18, 19.
“As the intercession of Joshua is accepted, the command is given, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him;’ and to Joshua the Angel says, ‘Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.’ ‘So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments’ (Zechariah 3:4, 5). His own sins and those of his people were pardoned. Israel was clothed with ‘change of raiment’—the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. The miter placed upon Joshua’s head was such as was worn by the priests, and bore the inscription, ‘Holiness to the Lord’ (Exodus 28:36), signifying that notwithstanding his former transgressions, he was now qualified to minister before God in His sanctuary.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 584.
c. After investing him with the dignity of the priesthood, what did Christ declare to Joshua? What are we to do? Zechariah 3:7.
“If obedient, [Joshua] should be honored as the judge, or ruler, over the temple and all its services; he should walk among attending angels, even in this life; and at last he should join the glorified throng around the throne of God.”—Ibid., p. 585.
Wednesday
November 23
4. A TRYING HOUR
a. How does Zechariah’s vision apply today? Revelation 12:10 (last part).
“Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God’s people in the closing scenes of the great day of atonement. The remnant church will then be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects; he has gained control even of many professing Christians. But here is a little company who are resisting his supremacy. . . .
“Those who are true to God will be menaced, denounced, proscribed. They will be ‘betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends,’ even unto death (Luke 21:16). Their only hope is in the mercy of God; their only defense will be prayer. As Joshua pleaded before the Angel, so the remnant church, with brokenness of heart and unfaltering faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance through Jesus, their Advocate.”—Prophets and Kings, pp. 587, 588.
b. For what should we be pleading while the door of probation is still open? Psalm 51:1, 7, 10; Joel 2:16, 17. Only on what condition can our Advocate defend us?
“While the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given themselves up to be controlled by the satanic agencies. They have repented of their sins and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their ingratitude, who knows their sin and also their penitence, declares: ‘The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. I gave My life for these souls. They are graven upon the palms of My hands. They may have imperfections of character; they may have failed in their endeavors; but they have repented, and I have forgiven and accepted them.’
“The assaults of Satan are strong, his delusions are subtle; but the Lord’s eye is upon His people. Their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but Jesus will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. Their earthliness will be removed, that through them the image of Christ may be perfectly revealed.”—Ibid., p. 589.
Thursday
November 24
5. INIQUITY REMOVED IN ONE DAY
a. How will the confessed sins of repentant Israel be removed “in one day” in the investigative judgment? Zechariah 3:9 (last part); Acts 3:19.
“As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, ‘Take away the filthy garments’ (Zechariah 3:4).”—Prophets and Kings, p. 591.
b. What mark will be placed on God’s faithful servants after their sins have been blotted out, and how can we prepare for that hour? Ezekiel 9:4; 1 John 3:2, 3.
“It is now that our hearts should be pure and holy. We have no promise that we shall be transformed in character when Christ appears. If we would offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness, we should put away everything that is sinful in thought, in word, and in deed. . . .
“What we need is purity of heart; and God can give us this as a free gift of His grace. Many blame circumstances for their defective characters. They say, ‘I could do so much better if things were only different; but this one tries me, and that one vexes me, and that is the reason that I am not a better Christian.’ But this is a deception. There is grace with God to enable you to serve Him just where you are, and excuses of this order have no weight with Him. Do not charge your circumstances with your failure. The Lord knows where you are, and He would have you practice those things which make for godliness.”—The Youth’s Instructor, January 9, 1896.
Friday
November 25
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Describe the work of Joshua, Zechariah, and Zerubbabel.
2. What encouragement did the Lord send to Zerubbabel and the people?
3. How did the Angel (who was Christ) put the accuser to silence?
4. How did God respond to Joshua’s confession and prayer?
5. The experience of Joshua and the Angel is an object lesson for us today. Explain.