Zechariah 5

Zechariah 5:1

F. The Flying Scroll (5:1-4)Meaning: The curse of God pronounced against perjury and theft in the land. 5:1, 2 The vision of the flying scroll is the first in a series of three having to do with administration and judgment. The scroll measured thirty feet long by fifteen feet wide, the same size as the portico of Solomon’s temple. 5:3, 4 It pronounced a curse on every thief and every perjurer. As part of this curse, the very house of the ones who stole or who swore falsely would be destroyed, both timber and stones. Perhaps this vision has to do with the worldwide judgments that will precede the setting up of Christ’s kingdom. Sins against man (theft) and sins against God (false swearing) will be dealt with at that time. (These may also represent the two tables of the law.)

Zechariah 5:5

G. The Woman in a Basket (5:5-11)Meaning: Idolatry and mercenary religion removed from the land to its ancient home base in Babylon. The seventh vision shows a woman in a basket (Heb. ephah). The ephah was the largest unit of measure used in business, somewhat like a bushel basket. The woman is the personification of “Wickedness.” In the land, the lead cover was kept on the ephah, meaning that wickedness was restricted. But two other women flew with the ephah to Shinar (Babylon). This seems to signify the removal of idolatrous and mercenary religion from Israel to its base in Babylon where it originated. Such a removal would, of course, be preparatory to the judgment of Babylon and to the setting up of the kingdom. “House” in verse 11 means “heathen temple.” Israel was cleansed of idolatry after the Babylonian captivity, but it will embrace a worse form of idolatry in the future when it worships the Antichrist as God.