Vision of the Flying Scroll
Description of the Vision
Zechariah 5 opens with a vision of a flying scroll, which represents the curse that goes out over the whole land, as described in Zechariah 5:1-4. The scroll is large, measuring 30 feet long and 15 feet wide, and it flies through the air, symbolizing the swift and pervasive judgment of God against sin. This scroll specifically brings judgment against thieves and those who swear falsely by God’s name.
Symbolism and Theological Significance
The flying scroll symbolizes God’s omnipresence and omniscience, highlighting that no sin goes unnoticed. It embodies the swift and just nature of God’s law and His readiness to purge sin from His people. This vision reinforces the seriousness with which God views sin and His commitment to justice and righteousness.
Vision of the Woman in a Basket
Description of the Vision
Following the flying scroll, Zechariah sees another vision involving a measuring basket (ephah) which contains the iniquity of the people in the land, detailed in Zechariah 5:5-11. A woman sits inside this basket; she represents wickedness. The basket is sealed with a lead cover, and two women with wings like a stork lift it and carry it to the land of Shinar (Babylonia), where a house is built for it.
Symbolism and Theological Significance
The woman in the basket and her removal to Shinar symbolize the removal of sin from the land of God’s people. By taking wickedness to another place, God illustrates His desire to cleanse His people and their land from iniquity. Shinar, being associated with Babylon, represents opposition to God, and thus becomes a fitting place to deposit the embodiment of wickedness.
Connection to Jesus Christ
These visions in Zechariah 5 foreshadow the ultimate work of Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the curse of sin and bore it away, much like the symbolism of the scroll and the basket. Christ, through His crucifixion, becomes the fulfillment of the law (the curse written on the scroll) and the redeemer who removes and contains our sins (the woman in the basket).
How God Loves the World
These visions demonstrate God’s profound love for His people, reflected in His unwillingness to allow sin to remain in their midst. His actions to remove sin underscore His desire for a pure and holy relationship with His people, highlighting His grace and mercy in providing means for reconciliation and purity.
Why This Chapter Still Matters Today
Zechariah 5 remains relevant as it reminds believers of the seriousness of sin and the necessity of divine judgment. It reassures us that God is actively involved in purifying His people and that He has made provision for this purification through Christ. This chapter calls believers to a life of holiness and integrity, acknowledging the gravity of our actions and the reality of God’s justice and redemption.