The Filthy Garments of Sin and the Priestly Restoration

In many ways, the identity of the chosen city of God is revealed. For the pure soul that sees "the peace surpassing all understanding" (Phil 4:7) is called Jerusalem, and so is the glorious Church of Christ, "the holy and immaculate, having no spot or wrinkle" (Eph 5:27); and through an elevated allegory, it is the heavenly city of the living God, according to it having been thus written: "Come up, O Zion, mountains and city of the living God, Jerusalem, heavenly and with myriads of angels, in festival" (Zechariah 2:6).

What will result from "rebuking the Lord against the devil" (Zechariah 3:2) is made clear; for it says: "Is this not like an ember torn out of the fire?" (Zechariah 3:2).

An ember is half-wood, having reached the point of turning into charcoal, no longer possessing the strength and hardness of wood. Such were also the enemies of the King of the Hebrews, concerning whom God said to him: "Do not fear, nor let your soul faint because of these two smoking embers" (Zechariah 3:3).

Just as these appeared weak, having fallen under the punishment of fire, so also the one receiving rebuke from the Lord who chose Jerusalem has become weak, as if no longer bearing fruit, having been deprived of vital power, according to the ember torn out of the fire; for a plant thus scorched can no longer bear fruit, even if it was torn from the fire so that it might not be wholly consumed and turned into ash, being useful for other needs, for which God takes it, for the sake of beauty to those being fashioned, being molded and beaten out as silver and gold vessels (2 Tim 2:21).

For how can the one liberated from the fire of captivity—by the one proclaiming remission and descent to the captives and giving it to the fatherland which he formerly inhabited before the enemies came, seized and scattered them—not be torn from the fire?

Zechariah III, 3–5: And Joshua was clothed in filthy garments, and he stood before the angel. And he answered and said to those standing before him, saying: "Take away the filthy garments from him." And he said to him: "Behold, I have taken away your iniquities, and clothe him in festive attire, and place a clean turban upon his head." And he clothed him with festive attire.

Regarding the spoken words set forth concerning Jesus the high priest, who iconically demonstrates the truly faithful high priest, possessing an unassailable priesthood. For since the saints are found to be loving, they sympathize with those in misfortune, weeping from sympathy, 'weeping with those who weep' (Job 44:17).

Because of this, while the fallen Israel is still at its peak in captivity, the priest who holds the care in his hands, mourning and suffering with them, is clothed in filthy garments, which the angel present with him protects should be removed from him. And the filthy garments are the deeds performed without law; for after it is said, 'Take away his filthy garments' (Zech 3:4), it is harmoniously brought forward: 'Behold, I have taken away your iniquities' (Zech 3:4).

Once the iniquities having been taken away—which are filthy garments—he is clothed in the foot-reaching, priestly tunic, adorning even to the feet the one wearing it, and a clean mitre is placed upon the head of the one priestally healing 'the Lord who has come and dwelt in the midst' (Matt 1:23) of Zion and Jerusalem.

Upon the restoration and rebuilding of the city and the temple, the leader of those liberated from captivity is clothed in a 'garment of salvation and a tunic of joy' (Isa 61:10), having cast off the filthy garments so as to no longer mourn, but to rejoice and be glad, having been saved from the captivity of those who were tested by it.

For what does the angel command to be removed from him, the mourning garments, named filthy, or is it because of the causes having occurred in sinning, such that these were clothed? It is possible to take angels to be divine, receiving the command, intervening around those who fear God to save them, so that they no longer sink down and look sullen in the face of present misfortune.

Regarding the things said, apply them to the explicit narrative, and those to be contemplated by intellect.

Jesus the great high priest, of whom the iconic Jesus passing through Babylon with the captives carries the type, was clothed in filthy garments, the sins of all mankind, not himself sinning nor being tested by sin. When he shall cast off and discard the fabric of sin which he clothed himself in for our sake, he ascends upon the cross, like the theologizing Peter, the apostle.