August 19, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Zechariah? Here’s today’s reading:
Zechariah 5 (NIV)
The Flying Scroll
1 I looked again, and there before me was a flying scroll.
2 He asked me, “What do you see?”
I answered, “I see a flying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.”
3 And he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished. …..Continue Reading
Zech’h 5. A sheet or scroll of great dimensions appears in the sky, fitted for blasphemous and thieves on each side, to ultimately settle in the house of such people. There will be a burning from it.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, who taketh His name in vain.” Exodus memory verse
When I was a kid, I wasn’t allowed to cuss, because it’s taking God’s name in vain. Quite true. But another application applies to those who call God their god, but do not mean it. Those who profess Christ, but whose heart is far from Christ, see Matthew 15.
So little children, don’t give up cussing for lent, it is not what God really wants! -gy
The 5th chapter has two visions in it. The flying scroll and the ephah of iniquity. With the scroll God is showing His hatred of stealing and bearing false witness for they are sins. Their houses will be consumed with these. I am not sure why only these sins are mentioned. The ephah of iniquity [ sin ] is represented by a woman. This symbolizes impurity. This ephah will be brought back to Babylon. This will be dealt with in the end times for the scriptures mention Babylon alot in the end times. God bless us as we desire to follow Jesus with a pure heart. Matthew 5;8 [ Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. ]
Zechariah 5
Zechariah 3
When I was reading the commentary on Zech 5 in enduring word, I couldn’t help but think that our world is demonstrating these “qualities.”
It said that the scroll with two sides, represents the whole of the 10 commandments:
“Every thief shall be expelled…every perjurer shall be expelled: This makes many people think that the text on the scroll contained the Ten Commandments. To steal was to injure your neighbor; to perjure was to dishonor God because you had sworn in His name.
b. I will send out the curse: The two sins, one from each side of the tablets of the Ten Commandments, represented all of Israel’s sin. God would curse the people who committed these sins and also curse their house.”
“The woman and the basket: This is Wickedness: The woman, the basket, and the weight were associated with wickedness. They were images of greed, materialism, and dishonesty for profit.”
“Greed, materialism and dishonesty for profit” sounds a whole lot like what is going on in our government, our nation, and the world.
It is curious why these sins are highlighted here, but we could imagine they were the ones plaguing Israel the most. So many aspects of society rely on honesty, a regard for private property, and working to gain wealth rather than stealing it from others. May we shun such sins that they would not destroy our hearts and our relationships. And then the wickedness of the land is represented by a woman in a basket. As it is to be brought to Babylon, I thought of the evil that Babylon represents in the book of Revelation. It seems to be a picture of a restraining influence on evil that at some time may be removed.
Another chapter filled with strange imagery but all reflective of God’s dissatisfaction with the state of His people and the sins they are committing. Ultimately the end result of sin is our own destruction and once again God gives us many chances to repent.
Zechariah 5
That was an excellent thing that you commented on Amy. About the flying scroll having two sides. That it was the Ten Commandments. I looked it up in one of my reference books. I even stated that I didn`t know why just two sins were mentioned. This makes sense. In addition to that I found that the scroll was 30 feet long and 15 feet wide. Also it states that the scroll was not rolled up so it could be read on both sides. Also it`s large size was coincidentally or intentionally the exact size of the tabernacle, perhaps suggesting that the judgements contained on the scroll were in harmony with God`s Holy presence in the midst of Israel. [ The Bible Knowledge Commentary ] May we all learn and grow as we discover things we did not see before in the scriptures. Something that I pray every time that I read the word of God. Always asking for His wisdom to teach me His word that I might grow in Him and be the person He wants me to be. And He does answer me. God bless us as we seek Him.
Zechariah 5