fiendish nature of the "old serpent" is brought out. It was he who brought sin into the world; it is he who deceives men and nations, and spurs them on to sin and rebellion against God; and yet, when the seduction is accomplished, he turns round and becomes their accuser this truly is like himself.
But it is not merely his malice against Israel which brings him here as their accuser before God in the person of their high priest. Oh no; it is first and foremost his hatred of God, and his desire, if possible, to frustrate the accomplishment of God's purposes of mercy for this world, which, as he so well knows, are bound up with Israel. It was for this same reason that he sought all through the centuries to rouse the fury of the nations against them, with a view, if possible, to bring about their extermination.
The actual words of Satan's accusations are not given, but their nature may be inferred from the 3rd verse, where we read: " Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the A ngel."
The word DWy, tsoyim, which is found only here as an adjective, is the strongest expression in the Hebrew language for filth of the most loathsome character, and the garments so defiled denote the sins of the people as viewed by the Holy One, in which the high priest as their repre sentative stood, so to say, clad in His presence. Satan, therefore, might well have sought the rejection of Israel as the priestly nation, or to impugn the holiness of God's character in receiving the worship and services of those so morally defiled.
But, blessed be God, the adversary may accuse, but it is not in his power to condemn. He that sitteth as Judge,, to justify or condemn, is the Lord. And note, it is the Divine Angel Himself, who in the 2nd verse is expressly called " Jehovah," who pleads the cause of His people. Well might the remnant of Israel say, therefore: " He is near that justifieth; who will contend with me? Let us stand together; ^vho is mine adversary f Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he
