Zechariah - Chapter 5

Zechariah 5.1 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. Zechariah 5.2 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. Zechariah 5.3 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. Zechariah 5.4 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. Zechariah 5.5 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. Zechariah 5.6 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. Zechariah 5.7 And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. Zechariah 5.8 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. Zechariah 5.10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? Zechariah 5.11 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 : Chapter 5

Judgment and Purification According to Zechariah Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of the book of Zechariah presents us with two perspectives on divine judgment. How does God deal with persistent wickedness? This powerful text describes the flying scroll, which symbolizes the curse against sin, and the woman in the ephah, representing the removal of iniquity. Thus, this chapter illustrates God's determination to purify His people and eliminate all forms of wickedness.

Major Themes

The themes explored in Zechariah 5 include holiness, divine judgment, and spiritual purification. We invite you to meditate on five biblical passages that resonate with the messages revealed in this chapter.

Biblical Passages

Revelation 5:1: "And I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll written on both sides and sealed with seven seals." This scroll of Revelation bears similarities to the flying scroll of Zechariah 5:1-4, both representing divine judgment.

Malachi 3:5: "Then I will bring you near for judgment. I will soon testify against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress workers for hire, who oppress widows and orphans, and deprive foreigners of their rights, and who have no respect for me, declares the Lord of hosts." This verse from Malachi lists sins similar to those mentioned in the flying scroll of Zechariah 5:3-4.

Ephesians 5:3: "Among you there must be no mention of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity or greed, for these things are not fitting for saints." This call to purity in Ephesians reflects the theme of the elimination of sin in Zechariah 5.

Revelation 18:2: "And he cried with a loud voice, 'Babylon the great is fallen! She is become the habitation of demons and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and detestable bird.'" The fall of Babylon in Revelation echoes the vision of the woman in the basket being carried to Babylon in Zechariah 5:5-11.

1 Corinthians 5:7: "Purge out the old yeast, so that you may be a new and unleavened lump, just as you are. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed." The removal of the old leaven in Corinthians reflects the theme of the removal of evil in Zechariah 5.

Conclusion

Zechariah chapter 5 calls us to a deep reflection on the need for purification and the gravity of sin. As we meditate on these passages, we are invited to examine our own lives and seek the holiness God expects of us.