Zechariah 5: Visions of Judgment and Cleansing
Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.
And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.
And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.
Zechariah 5:1-4
Here we have a further discovery of the judgments God had in store for those who returned out of captivity, if they did not live up to their profession, nor answer the end of their return. The vision is of a flying roll, a scroll of parchment or paper, rolled up, as was usual, for the greater conveniency of reading, but now flying in the air, with great swiftness, that all might take notice of it; it was thirty cubits long and fifteen cubits broad, a very large scroll. This flying roll was a representation of the curse of the law, which is here personified, and represented as a swift messenger sent to do execution, and commissioned to enter into the house of the sinner, and to abide there till it has made a full riddance, Zec 5:4. God's curse is a flying roll, for, 1. It is a declaration of God's wrath against sin and sinners, and has the same effect as the flying of fiery darts. 2. It is a warrant for execution, and gives authority to destroy and consume. 3. It is a swift witness against the wicked. It flies swiftly, and comes suddenly, before they are aware. 4. It is a terrible executioner. The curse of God is a heavy curse; it carries weight with it, and makes those miserable on whom it falls. This curse comes forth from the face of the Lord of hosts; it is not a causeless curse, but grounded on his justice, and designed for his glory. It goes forth with commission from him who has power to make it go forth, and make it fasten. It goes forth over the face of the whole earth, for all the earth is under the curse, if God should deal with us according to our deserts. But here it seems to threaten particularly the land of Israel, which had received so much mercy from God, and was so deeply bound to him. Now let us see on whom this curse will seize. It shall enter into the house of the thief and the house of the false swearer. Theft and perjury were sins that greatly abounded among the Jews after their return out of captivity, and were very provoking to God. It is here foretold that divine vengeance should pursue those that were guilty of these sins. It shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. The curse of God will blast a man's comforts and possessions; it will bring a moth into his estate, and a consumption upon all that he has. Those that get wealth by dishonesty and maintain their families with it bring a curse upon their houses, which will, sooner or later, be the ruin of them.
Zechariah 5:5-11
Here is another vision, the seventh in order, by which the prophet was to be instructed in the mind of God. This vision is more obscure than the former, and not so easy to be understood. Here is, 1. An ephah, a measure wherewith they measured corn and other things, Zec 5:6. This represented the Jewish nation, and the measure of their iniquity, which was now filling up, as the measure of the Amorites was filled up when they were cast out of their land, Gen 15:16. The Lord knows how to measure to sinners when their measure is full, and when they have ripened themselves for ruin. 2. A talent of lead was lifted up, which covered the mouth of the ephah, Zec 5:7. This intimates that the iniquity of sinners is a heavy weight upon a people, and tends to sink them to the bottom. Wickedness is a talent of lead, very heavy to those that are oppressed with it, as a nation groaning under the burden of its own sin. 3. A woman sitting in the midst of the ephah, representing the body of sin among the Jews, their impudence in sin, and their obstinacy in it. Sin is a woman, a strange woman, that flatters with her words, and allures to destruction. This woman is called Wickedness, that is her name; it is her nature, and she has a brand upon her forehead, to denote that she is perfectly wicked. 4. The ephah, with this woman in it, is carried away into a far country, there to be set down in its own place, Zec 5:9-11. Two women appeared, with wings like the wings of a stork, emblems of expedition and readiness to obey God's commands. These winged women carried the ephah with the woman in it between earth and heaven. The wind was in their wings, to hasten their flight. They carried it into the land of Shinar, there to build it a house, that is, a temple, a place for it to rest in, and to be settled in its own place. Shinar was the country where Babel stood, the mother of harlots, the centre of idolatry, and the sink of all iniquity. This intimates that after the captivity the Jews, though they did not worship idols themselves, yet sent their wickedness into the land of Shinar; for many of them continued in Babylon, and there infected themselves and their children with the vices of that place. They embraced the gains of unrighteousness, and loved this world better than God. The land of Shinar was the proper place for wickedness to dwell in. Some think this prophecy had a further reference to the final rejection of the Jews when the gospel was taken from them and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. The wickedness of the Jews was carried into all parts, and particularly to Rome, another Babylon, and there it had its settlement.
Zechariah 5 presents us with two powerful visions, each offering a unique perspective on sin, judgment, and the ultimate removal of wickedness. These visions are not merely historical accounts; they speak to the enduring reality of God's justice and His commitment to establishing a kingdom free from sin.
The Flying Scroll: God's All-Encompassing Judgment (Zechariah 5:1-4)
Zechariah's sixth vision unveils a flying scroll, a massive document measuring thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide (Zechariah 5:1-2). This is no ordinary scroll; it represents the curse of God's law going out over the entire land (Zechariah 5:3). Imagine this scroll soaring through the air, visible to all, a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience.
Matthew Henry aptly describes it as a "declaration of God's wrath against sin and sinners," acting as both a swift witness and a warrant for execution. This curse, emanating "from the face of the Lord of hosts," targets specific sins: theft and perjury, both rampant among the Jews after their return from captivity.
The scroll doesn't just hover; it enters the house of the thief and the house of the false swearer (Zechariah 5:4). It doesn't simply visit; it remains, consuming the very structure, "with the timber thereof and the stones thereof." This imagery powerfully illustrates the pervasive and destructive nature of sin. It highlights how dishonesty and wickedness can ultimately dismantle the foundations of one's life and legacy.
Tony Evans emphasizes that the Lord’s judgment is all-encompassing, leaving no room for escape. God's judgment is not arbitrary but rooted in justice, a necessary step toward establishing His kingdom where righteousness reigns.
The Ephah and the Woman: Removing Wickedness to its Place (Zechariah 5:5-11)
The seventh vision shifts our focus to an ephah, a measuring basket, sealed with a lead cover. This basket contains a woman named Wickedness (Zechariah 5:5-8), representing the concentrated iniquity of Israel. The lead cover symbolizes the heavy weight of sin, burdening the nation and threatening to sink it.
Two women with stork-like wings then appear, carrying the ephah aloft, transporting it to the land of Shinar (Zechariah 5:9-11). Shinar, the ancient land of Babylon, is significant. As Tony Evans points out, it is a place of destruction. It represents the appropriate destination for wickedness, a place far removed from the purified land of Israel.
Matthew Henry notes that this vision suggests that even though the Jews avoided idolatry after the captivity, many still embraced worldly gains and vices, effectively sending their wickedness back to Babylon. This act foreshadows the final rejection of the Jews, when the gospel would be taken from them and given to a nation bearing fruit.
The image of winged women carrying away wickedness is a powerful symbol of God's ultimate cleansing. It assures us that God will not tolerate sin indefinitely. He will remove it, judge it, and ultimately create a world where righteousness dwells. This vision offers hope: a future where wickedness is no longer a pervasive force, but an isolated entity confined to its proper place.
These visions in Zechariah 5 are not merely historical accounts; they are timeless reminders of God's justice, His hatred of sin, and His unwavering commitment to establishing a kingdom of righteousness. They challenge us to examine our own lives, to repent of our sins, and to embrace the hope of a future free from the curse of sin.
Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.
And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.
And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.
Zechariah 5:1-4
Here we have a further discovery of the judgments God had in store for those who returned out of captivity, if they did not live up to their profession, nor answer the end of their return. The vision is of a flying roll, a scroll of parchment or paper, rolled up, as was usual, for the greater conveniency of reading, but now flying in the air, with great swiftness, that all might take notice of it; it was thirty cubits long and fifteen cubits broad, a very large scroll. This flying roll was a representation of the curse of the law, which is here personified, and represented as a swift messenger sent to do execution, and commissioned to enter into the house of the sinner, and to abide there till it has made a full riddance, Zec 5:4. God's curse is a flying roll, for, 1. It is a declaration of God's wrath against sin and sinners, and has the same effect as the flying of fiery darts. 2. It is a warrant for execution, and gives authority to destroy and consume. 3. It is a swift witness against the wicked. It flies swiftly, and comes suddenly, before they are aware. 4. It is a terrible executioner. The curse of God is a heavy curse; it carries weight with it, and makes those miserable on whom it falls. This curse comes forth from the face of the Lord of hosts; it is not a causeless curse, but grounded on his justice, and designed for his glory. It goes forth with commission from him who has power to make it go forth, and make it fasten. It goes forth over the face of the whole earth, for all the earth is under the curse, if God should deal with us according to our deserts. But here it seems to threaten particularly the land of Israel, which had received so much mercy from God, and was so deeply bound to him. Now let us see on whom this curse will seize. It shall enter into the house of the thief and the house of the false swearer. Theft and perjury were sins that greatly abounded among the Jews after their return out of captivity, and were very provoking to God. It is here foretold that divine vengeance should pursue those that were guilty of these sins. It shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. The curse of God will blast a man's comforts and possessions; it will bring a moth into his estate, and a consumption upon all that he has. Those that get wealth by dishonesty and maintain their families with it bring a curse upon their houses, which will, sooner or later, be the ruin of them.
Zechariah 5:5-11
Here is another vision, the seventh in order, by which the prophet was to be instructed in the mind of God. This vision is more obscure than the former, and not so easy to be understood. Here is, 1. An ephah, a measure wherewith they measured corn and other things, Zec 5:6. This represented the Jewish nation, and the measure of their iniquity, which was now filling up, as the measure of the Amorites was filled up when they were cast out of their land, Gen 15:16. The Lord knows how to measure to sinners when their measure is full, and when they have ripened themselves for ruin. 2. A talent of lead was lifted up, which covered the mouth of the ephah, Zec 5:7. This intimates that the iniquity of sinners is a heavy weight upon a people, and tends to sink them to the bottom. Wickedness is a talent of lead, very heavy to those that are oppressed with it, as a nation groaning under the burden of its own sin. 3. A woman sitting in the midst of the ephah, representing the body of sin among the Jews, their impudence in sin, and their obstinacy in it. Sin is a woman, a strange woman, that flatters with her words, and allures to destruction. This woman is called Wickedness, that is her name; it is her nature, and she has a brand upon her forehead, to denote that she is perfectly wicked. 4. The ephah, with this woman in it, is carried away into a far country, there to be set down in its own place, Zec 5:9-11. Two women appeared, with wings like the wings of a stork, emblems of expedition and readiness to obey God's commands. These winged women carried the ephah with the woman in it between earth and heaven. The wind was in their wings, to hasten their flight. They carried it into the land of Shinar, there to build it a house, that is, a temple, a place for it to rest in, and to be settled in its own place. Shinar was the country where Babel stood, the mother of harlots, the centre of idolatry, and the sink of all iniquity. This intimates that after the captivity the Jews, though they did not worship idols themselves, yet sent their wickedness into the land of Shinar; for many of them continued in Babylon, and there infected themselves and their children with the vices of that place. They embraced the gains of unrighteousness, and loved this world better than God. The land of Shinar was the proper place for wickedness to dwell in. Some think this prophecy had a further reference to the final rejection of the Jews when the gospel was taken from them and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. The wickedness of the Jews was carried into all parts, and particularly to Rome, another Babylon, and there it had its settlement.
Zechariah 5 presents us with two powerful visions, each offering a unique perspective on sin, judgment, and the ultimate removal of wickedness. These visions are not merely historical accounts; they speak to the enduring reality of God's justice and His commitment to establishing a kingdom free from sin.
The Flying Scroll: God's All-Encompassing Judgment (Zechariah 5:1-4)
Zechariah's sixth vision unveils a flying scroll, a massive document measuring thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide (Zechariah 5:1-2). This is no ordinary scroll; it represents the curse of God's law going out over the entire land (Zechariah 5:3). Imagine this scroll soaring through the air, visible to all, a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience.
Matthew Henry aptly describes it as a "declaration of God's wrath against sin and sinners," acting as both a swift witness and a warrant for execution. This curse, emanating "from the face of the Lord of hosts," targets specific sins: theft and perjury, both rampant among the Jews after their return from captivity.
The scroll doesn't just hover; it enters the house of the thief and the house of the false swearer (Zechariah 5:4). It doesn't simply visit; it remains, consuming the very structure, "with the timber thereof and the stones thereof." This imagery powerfully illustrates the pervasive and destructive nature of sin. It highlights how dishonesty and wickedness can ultimately dismantle the foundations of one's life and legacy.
Tony Evans emphasizes that the Lord’s judgment is all-encompassing, leaving no room for escape. God's judgment is not arbitrary but rooted in justice, a necessary step toward establishing His kingdom where righteousness reigns.
The Ephah and the Woman: Removing Wickedness to its Place (Zechariah 5:5-11)
The seventh vision shifts our focus to an ephah, a measuring basket, sealed with a lead cover. This basket contains a woman named Wickedness (Zechariah 5:5-8), representing the concentrated iniquity of Israel. The lead cover symbolizes the heavy weight of sin, burdening the nation and threatening to sink it.
Two women with stork-like wings then appear, carrying the ephah aloft, transporting it to the land of Shinar (Zechariah 5:9-11). Shinar, the ancient land of Babylon, is significant. As Tony Evans points out, it is a place of destruction. It represents the appropriate destination for wickedness, a place far removed from the purified land of Israel.
Matthew Henry notes that this vision suggests that even though the Jews avoided idolatry after the captivity, many still embraced worldly gains and vices, effectively sending their wickedness back to Babylon. This act foreshadows the final rejection of the Jews, when the gospel would be taken from them and given to a nation bearing fruit.
The image of winged women carrying away wickedness is a powerful symbol of God's ultimate cleansing. It assures us that God will not tolerate sin indefinitely. He will remove it, judge it, and ultimately create a world where righteousness dwells. This vision offers hope: a future where wickedness is no longer a pervasive force, but an isolated entity confined to its proper place.
These visions in Zechariah 5 are not merely historical accounts; they are timeless reminders of God's justice, His hatred of sin, and His unwavering commitment to establishing a kingdom of righteousness. They challenge us to examine our own lives, to repent of our sins, and to embrace the hope of a future free from the curse of sin.