The Lawsuit

Among the night visions which were given to Zechariah, this fourth vision holds an important place. In this vision there is no spirit of the throne present to make the meaning of it plain for the prophet, for the person presented to Zechariah is no stranger to him. It is Joshua the high priest. The prophet Zechariah had frequently seen Joshua in the performance of his official duties as high priest, who, with Zerubbabel the prince, was very active in serving when the exiles returned from Babylon.

Zechariah now sees Joshua as high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and this Angel is Christ. Unto Him only can these words be applied, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13). Joshua stands in the divine court of justice. This judicial proceeding and action does not go without him personally, but it concerns in a special way the administration of his office as a high priest. In it he represents the covenant people who had returned to Canaan.

Joshua as an office-bearer is being accused before the Judge of the whole earth, not by men, but by Satan, who stands at the place where an accuser must stand in a lawsuit, namely, at the right hand of him that is accused. The intention of Satan's accusation is that God as a righteous Judge shall take a perfect and terrible revenge, and thereby punish Joshua, and all those he represents, with an eternal and righteous condemnation. You must know that this sentence also had been pronounced upon Satan and all his followers when he, as prince of the angels and with him a host of angels, apostatized from God their Maker and Commander.

Although Satan himself is terribly wicked and unrighteous, his accusation has a legal principle or ground in God's holy law, which law requires of every rational creature a perfect righteousness and holiness. Satan is a restless and troublesome adversary of the true church of God. However, in this way the righteousness of a Surety, rooted in divine election and grounded in the active and passive obedience of Christ, shall be known by and given to all God's favored people, to His glory. In such a lawsuit the accusations of Satan have an opposite effect for him, for at the time of the great judgment day it shall be confirmed that the accuser of the brethren, who accused them day and night before God, is cast down for good. It will be revealed that the followers of Jesus have overcome their archenemy by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.

Also, in this lawsuit, the accuser shall be struck speechless, but not by the accused Joshua nor by the people he represents. On the contrary, not a word to defend himself passes from his lips. According to God's command, the high priest had to wear holy garments for glory and for beauty, but Joshua's garments are filthy. In this is marked the uncleanness, baseness, abomination, and guiltiness because of the sins of the priesthood and the people of Israel. By virtue of His righteousness and holiness, the divine Judge cannot and may not pass other judgment than a righteous sentence of condemnation, “The Lord condemn you, Joshua and people of Israel.” And, with the deepest and most terrible hatred, Satan now expects no other sentence.

Although Joshua does not open his mouth, his heart speaks the upright and sincere language of one who bows under the righteous judgment of God,

I have sinned against Thy grace, And provoked Thee to Thy face; I confess Thy judgment just.

God is Judge! Selah! He decides in favor of Joshua and the people. “The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee.” Thus the sovereign Jehovah, the Angel of the Lord, speaks in righteousness to the adversary, who in fearful trembling must hear that his eternal doom shall be maintained. Joshua and the entire Church shall be saved, because God has chosen Jerusalem. The Angel of the Lord spoke to Satan about the sovereign pleasure of God, the unchangeable decree which in the divine order of salvation precedes the closing of the covenant.

Our fathers of Dordt have established, upon the basis of God's Word, the following facts regarding election, against the doctrine of the Remonstrants: "Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, He hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of His own will, chosen, from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault from their primitive state of rectitude into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom He from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect, and the foundation of salvation.

“This elect number, though by nature neither better nor more deserving than others, but with them involved in one common misery, God hath decreed to give to Christ, to be saved by Him, and effectually to call and draw them to His communion by His Word and Spirit, to bestow upon them true faith, justification, and sanctification; and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of His Son, finally, to glorify them for the demonstration of His mercy, and for the praise of His glorious grace; as it is written, (Ephesians 14:6; Romans 8:30).”

How clear this scriptural language of our fathers is! Jerusalem is chosen! It is an unchangeable ground. This answer must put Satan to silence. The way in which God's true church is saved is the way of the covenant, not a new covenant of works, but the covenant of grace, being confirmed in Christ's active and passive obedience.

Out of the fire of the judgment, God's people are drawn, a fire that consumes the worthless stubble of their self-righteousness. A silent Joshua, filled with holy reverence for God, lays down his own life in love towards God and His perfections; and oh, eternal wonder! the work of grace is glorified in him! His filthy garments are taken away, and he is clothed with a change of raiment. In such a way Joshua and the people perfectly answer the divine righteousness.

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:33-34). Thus will true faith, which embraces the imputed righteousness of Christ, boast in that free favor which moved God in eternity to save sinners.

Thy Name with gladness they confess, Exalted in Thy righteousness; Their fame and might to Thee belong, For in Thy favor they are strong. All glory unto God we yield, Jehovah is our help and shield; All praise and honor we will bring, To Israel's Holy One, our King.

— Rev. M. Blok (1909-1961)

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