Charles Ellicott Commentary Zechariah 3:7

"Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee a place of access among these that stand by." — Zechariah 3:7 (ASV)

Walk in my ways refers to personal holiness.

Keep my charge. —To the due discharge of his official duties.

Then you. —The word “you” is emphatic, and helps to mark the apodosis.

My house. —On this passage Wright remarks: “The words ‘my house’ seem to have been chosen to correspond with ‘my courts’ in the parallel clause. Though the two ideas are closely related, they are not identical in meaning. The expression ‘my house’ is probably to be understood in a metaphorical sense for my people (Hosea 8:1; Hosea 9:15, ἆκος Θεοῦ; Hebrews 3:6; 1 Timothy 3:15), because the word judge takes an accusative after it of the person, and not of the thing, with the exception of an accusative of cognate meaning, as ‘to judge judgment’ (Jeremiah 5:28; Jeremiah 30:13; Jeremiah 21:12). The word ‘house’ may possibly have been chosen in preference to that of ‘people’ to avoid giving offence, as the people were then under Persian rule (Schegg).

If the word ‘house’ is understood metaphorically, the sense is that the high priest was to direct the people in all things respecting the law of God, and especially to judge those who ministered in the sanctuary (Hitzig, Pressel, etc.). Others think that the Temple then in course of construction is referred to (Hengstenberg, Keil, Kliefoth, Pusey). In the latter case the meaning is not very different, namely, that the high priest was to rule and direct the services of the sanctuary and Holy of holies, and to keep away every kind of idolatry and ungodliness from its outer courts (Hengstenberg).”

Thus Joshua is confirmed in his office of high priest, which had been called in question by the accusation of Satan (has-Sâtân).

Places to walk — i.e., as in margin, “walks,” meaning paths. Septuagint, ἀναστρεϕομένους ἐν μέσψ, “living among” vocalizing the word differently. Ewald understands the word as meaning “leaders,” but if that were its signification it would be followed by “from among,” instead of “among.”

Among these that stand by. —The angels of the heavenly court. Etymologically, assistants; but in legal phraseology, assessors.

The whole scene is drawn on the model of an Oriental Darbár. He is promised free spiritual access to God among the holy angels.

Observe the introverted parallelism of this verse—“will walk,” “will keep;” then “shall keep,” “places to walk.”

“A gratuitous justification furnishes no excuse for inaction and sin, but leads to more entire obedience ... Fidelity in God’s service shall be gloriously rewarded.” (Moore.)