What does Zechariah 3:7 mean?

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by." - Zechariah 3:7

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by." - Zechariah 3:7

The verse Zechariah 3:7 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by."

This verse is part of a vision that the prophet Zechariah receives from the Lord. The vision takes place in the context of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem after the Israelites' return from exile in Babylon. The high priest Joshua is standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan is there accusing him. In this vision, we see the Lord not only rebuking Satan but also making a promise to Joshua.

The verse begins with the phrase "Thus saith the Lord of hosts," indicating that these words are coming directly from God. This sets the stage for the importance and authority of the message that follows. The Lord is speaking directly to Joshua, and by extension, to all of Israel.

The first part of the verse outlines the conditions for Joshua's leadership and service in the house of the Lord. The Lord sets forth two criteria: walking in His ways and keeping His charge. "Walking in my ways" signifies living a righteous and obedient life according to God's commandments. This includes following His moral and ethical standards and seeking to please Him in all things. "Keeping my charge" refers to faithfully carrying out the duties and responsibilities related to serving the Lord and His people. This involves a commitment to upholding the laws and ordinances of the Lord and fulfilling the role of high priest with diligence and integrity.

The second part of the verse contains the promise that the Lord makes to Joshua. If he meets the conditions set forth, he will be given the privilege of judging the Lord's house and keeping His courts. This means that Joshua will have the authority and responsibility to oversee the conduct of the priests and the administration of the temple. Additionally, he will be granted access to the presence of the Lord and given a place among those who stand before Him.

The themes of obedience, service, and reward are prominent in this verse. The Lord emphasizes the importance of obeying His commandments and fulfilling the duties of priestly service. He also emphasizes the benefits and blessings that come as a result of faithful obedience. This verse serves as a reminder that God rewards those who are obedient to Him and serve Him faithfully.

The context of this verse is significant in understanding its meaning. The Israelites had experienced a period of exile and were now in the process of rebuilding their society, including the temple. The vision of Zechariah was meant to encourage and instruct the people as they worked to restore their relationship with God. The promise to Joshua was a message of hope and assurance that their efforts would not be in vain if they remained faithful to the Lord.

Symbolically, this verse can be interpreted as a foreshadowing of the role of Jesus Christ as the ultimate high priest. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the conditions set forth in this verse, walking in the ways of the Father and keeping His charge. Through His sacrifice on the cross, He obtained the authority to judge the house of the Lord and grant access to the presence of God to all who believe in Him. In this way, Zechariah 3:7 points to the redemptive work of Jesus and the blessings that come to those who follow Him.

In conclusion, Zechariah 3:7 is a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience, service, and the rewards of faithfulness. The verse also carries significant symbolism and points to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It serves as an encouragement to all believers to remain faithful to the Lord and to trust in His promises.

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Zechariah 3:7 Artwork

Zechariah 3:7 - "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by."

Zechariah 3:7 - "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by."

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by." - Zechariah 3:7

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by." - Zechariah 3:7

Zechariah 7:8 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,"

Zechariah 7:8 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,"

Zechariah 3:3

Zechariah 3:3

Zechariah 7:3 - "And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?"

Zechariah 7:3 - "And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?"

Zechariah 13:7

Zechariah 13:7

"¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying," - Zechariah 7:8

"¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying," - Zechariah 7:8

Zechariah 4:3

Zechariah 4:3

Zechariah 7:1 - "And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;"

Zechariah 7:1 - "And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;"

Zechariah 3:3 - "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel."

Zechariah 3:3 - "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel."

Zechariah 3:6 - "And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,"

Zechariah 3:6 - "And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,"

Zechariah 7:4 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,"

Zechariah 7:4 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,"

Zechariah 2:7 - "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon."

Zechariah 2:7 - "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon."

Zechariah 1:7 - "¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"

Zechariah 1:7 - "¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"

Zechariah 7:11 - "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."

Zechariah 7:11 - "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."

Zechariah 5:7 - "And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah."

Zechariah 5:7 - "And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah."

Zechariah 6:3 - "And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses."

Zechariah 6:3 - "And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses."

1 Chronicles 5:7 - "And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,"

1 Chronicles 5:7 - "And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,"

Zechariah 7:8-10 - "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’"

Zechariah 7:8-10 - "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’"

"Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel." - Zechariah 3:3

"Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel." - Zechariah 3:3

Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton)
7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.

Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.

Zechariah 3: 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,

Zechariah 3: 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,

Zechariah 3: 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,

Zechariah 3: 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,

Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton)
7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.

Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.

Zechariah 11:3 - "¶ There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled."

Zechariah 11:3 - "¶ There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled."

Zechariah 7:2 - "When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,"

Zechariah 7:2 - "When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,"

Zechariah 7:6 - "And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?"

Zechariah 7:6 - "And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?"

Ezra 8:3 - "Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty."

Ezra 8:3 - "Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty."

Zechariah 2:3 - "And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,"

Zechariah 2:3 - "And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,"

Zechariah 14:3 - "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle."

Zechariah 14:3 - "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle."