Joshua Accused, Defended, and Reclothed

Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD while ‘the satan’—the accuser—stands ready to prosecute him. Instead of letting the accusation control the scene, the LORD rebukes the adversary and calls Jerusalem ‘a brand plucked out of the fire.’ Joshua’s filthy garments are removed, the vision explicitly says his iniquity has been taken away, and he is dressed in clean priestly clothing with a proper turban.

Where this fits in the story: a restored temple needs a restored priesthood, but the priest himself needs cleansing. Grace therefore precedes service. The high priest does not cleanse himself; God removes defilement and reauthorizes him.