זכריה, פרק ג׳, פסוק ו׳

After Joshua is dressed in the garments of the High Priesthood, a new path opens before him. An angel addresses him directly to deliver a crucial message. The primary approach among commentators is that this address serves as a strict warning. This admonition is deeply connected to the concept of testimony. In human affairs, it is standard practice to warn a person in the presence of witnesses to prevent them from denying the instructions later [מצודת ציון]. During this divine encounter, the angel explicitly cautions Joshua in the name of God [מלבי״ם].

The substance of this warning centers on the heavy responsibility now resting on Joshua's shoulders. The angel sets forth specific conditions that bridge two major areas of leadership: the priesthood and the monarchy. Joshua is instructed to lead with mercy, mirroring the ways of God. Furthermore, he must strictly protect the duties of the priesthood and the Temple, while also managing the justice system. If Joshua fulfills these conditions, he will be granted an elevated status and a unique closeness to God. This exceptional privilege parallels the rights of leadership typically reserved only for the kings of the House of David [אהבת יהונתן].