In Zechariah 3:1-5, we read about God showing Zechariah a scene with the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. Satan stands on the right side of the high priest. Satan accuses the high priest of not being right for God’s purposes. Satan was accusing the entire priesthood of the Israelites, and by extension accusing all of the people of being improper for God’s purposes.
God states that Israel is the brand taken out of the fire. Last time, we looked at the brand being something that burned a marking on an animal to show ownership. However, there is a more likely picture being given (a kind reader pointed this out to me). The brand was the stick used to stir the fire. As it was used, it slowly burned off. Thus, it would get shorter and shorter. Eventually there was not enough left to stir the fire anymore.
God put the nation of Israel through the fire of punishment. He allowed foreign nations to conquer them and take into slavery. Israel was being pictured as the stick that stirred the fire. But God was going to take the brand out of the fire before it became completely useless and completely burned up. God intended for there to be a remnant to return to the promised land.
God is a wonderful and merciful God. He does punish but he always desires to save. He has given us the Bible to read and study. If we will do that and then obey what it says, he will bless us and save us.
Read your Bible. Obey God. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
