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Zechariah 3:4 - Take off his dirty clothes and dress him in splendid robes.

Zechariah 3:4 - Take off his dirty clothes and dress him in 
splendid robes. 

Zechariah 3:4 (NKJV) Then He answered and spoke to those who 
stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." 
And to him He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and 
I will clothe you with rich robes."  

Zechariah 3:4 (NJB) The latter then spoke as follows to those 
who were standing before him, 'Take off his dirty clothes [4c] and 
dress him in splendid robes  

   In the prophecy of Zechariah is brought to view Satan's 
accusing work, and the work of Christ in resisting the adversary of His 
people...  
   The people of God are here represented as a criminal on 
trial. Joshua, as high priest, is seeking for a blessing for his 
people, who are in great affliction. While he is pleading before God, 
Satan is standing at his right hand as his adversary. He is accusing 
the children of God, and making their case appear as desperate as 
possible. He presents before the Lord their evil doings and their defects. 
He shows their faults and failures, hoping they will appear of such 
a character in the eyes of Christ that He will render them no help 
in their great need. Joshua, as the representative of God's people, 
stands under condemnation, clothed with filthy garments. Aware of the 
sins of his people, he is weighed down with discouragement. Satan is 
pressing upon his soul a sense of guiltiness that makes him feel almost 
hopeless. Yet there he stands as a suppliant, with Satan arrayed against 
him.  {COL 166.4}   
   The work of Satan as an accuser began in heaven. This has 
been his work on earth ever since man's fall, and it will be his work 
in a special sense as we approach nearer to the close of this 
world's history... {COL 166-8}   

Satan accused Jeshua, who here represents the nation of Israel. 
The accusations were accurate--Jeshua stood in "filthy" clothes 
(sins). Yet God revealed his mercy, stating that he chose to save his 
people in spite of their sin. Satan is always accusing people of their 
sins before God (Job 1:6). But he greatly misunderstands the breadth 
of God's mercy and forgiveness toward those who believe in him. 
Satan the Accuser will ultimately be destroyed (Revelation 12:10), 
while everyone who is a believer will be saved (John 3:16). To be 
prepared, we can ask God to remove our clothing of sin and dress us with 
his goodness. [Life Application SB] 

Zechariah's vision graphically portrays how we receive God's 
mercy. We do nothing ourselves. God removes our filthy clothes (sins), 
then provides us with fine, new clothes (the righteousness and 
holiness of God--2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:24; Revelation 19:8). All 
we need to do is repent and ask God to forgive us. When Satan tries 
to make you feel dirty and unworthy, remember that the clean 
clothes of Christ's righteousness make you worthy to draw near to God. 
[Life Application SB] 

Arise and go to your Father. He will meet you a great way off. 
If you take even one step toward Him in repentance, He will hasten 
to enfold you in His arms of infinite love. His ear is open to the 
cry of the contrite soul. The very first reaching out of the heart 
after God is known to Him... Your heavenly Father will take from you 
the garments defiled by sin. {COL 206} [Remnant SOP SB] 

For any human being to know God's peace, he or she must be 
cleansed by God and clothed in His righteousness (vv. 1-5). Then, as we 
walk in His ways, we will have assured access to the Lord and the 
power to live holy lives (vv. 6-8). [The 365-Day Devotional 
Commentary] 

   Everyone who has ever done laundry knows how stubborn some 
dirt can be. You treat it, soak it, scrub it, and rewash it, but 
nothing you do takes out the stain.  
   Dirt comes in more forms than just the physical. We say that 
we have dirt in our past and try to avoid airing our "dirty 
laundry." Like stained clothes, dirt in lives is hard to get out. That's 
why, for this set of prophecies, God shows Zechariah a vision of 
Jeshua, the high priest, in dirty clothes. As you read, pay close 
attention to this vivid illustration of God's work of mercy in our lives. 
 
   In Zechariah's vision, Satan made many accusations against 
Jeshua (Israel) (Zechariah 3:2-4). Jeshua could not deny them, either, 
because they were true. But God rejected the accusations and declared 
mercy on Jeshua. By having Jeshua's filthy clothes removed and 
replaced by fine new ones, God graphically portrayed how people receive 
his mercy. There is nothing they can do to earn it. God grants mercy 
and forgiveness out of his tremendous love for his people. He 
removes the filthy clothes (sins) and then provides new, clean, rich 
garments (his righteousness and holiness). (See also 2 Corinthians 5:21, 
Ephesians 4:24, and Revelation 19:8.)  
   Whenever you feel dirty and unworthy, go to God for 
cleansing. He can remove the stain of your sin and guilt and replace it 
with a clean conscience and pure heart. [The One Year Through the 
Bible Devotional by Dave Veerman] 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/

Grace Notes: http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php

Excellent Spiritual Resource Site: 
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/   

More Spiritual Resources: http://www.aBible.com