3:1 Jeshua was the high priest, the religious leader among those who returned to Judah from exile in Babylon (Ezra 2:2). Jeshua partnered with Zerubbabel, the governor of the restored community, in rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple (Ezra 5:2; Hag 2:1-5). • The Accuser, Satan (literally The satan) designates a member of the heavenly court whose role is to accuse human beings of wrongdoing, to act as prosecuting attorney (see Job 1:6). The adversarial role may be performed by either human or divine beings (see Num 22:22; 1 Sam 29:4; 1 Chr 21:1). By New Testament times, Satan was a personal name for the prince of demons (Mark 3:22; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 6:11; Rev 20:2). • The Accuser’s position of authority in the heavenly court is shown by his standing at the angel’s right hand.

3:2-3 The Lord is both defense attorney and judge; he censures the prosecution’s arguments, dismisses the case, and declares Jeshua innocent because he has been chosen and cleansed by God. • Like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire, Jeshua and other Hebrew exiles were plucked by God from near destruction in Babylon. • Jeshua’s filthy clothes (3:4) symbolize the guilt and pollution of sin that prompted the divine judgment of exile. The accusations of Satan probably implied that just as a polluted priest was unfit for Temple service, the Hebrews were unfit to be God’s chosen people.