ZECHARIAH
chapter five

This chapter deals with the judgment upon Babylon. This is still in keeping with the theme of 'Good and Comfortable Words of 1:13.
The time which began with the Babylonian captivity is nearing an end, and during this previous 70 years they were cruelly treated.
The prophetic meaning is looking forward to the final delivery of Israel from the 'Babylon' of the present age, and the judgment upon those who have troubled her.

V-1-4. The Vision of the Flying Roll. Zech 5:1 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
Zech 5:2 And he said unto me, What seest thou?
Zech 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.
Zech 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.

Compare:
Ezek 2:9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;
Ezek 2:10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.
Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

The prophetic use of a roll [scroll], or a book, is of a judgment that is prerecorded and WILL be carried out. God left no provision for man to alter or add a postscript to His decisions.

V-3. This curse is over the WHOLE EARTH. No one will get a pass on this one.
A. Stealing. [and holding himself guiltless.] a time when sin is no longer viewed as wrong!
B. Sweareth . The word used here means literally to 'seven one’s self'. This was a method of swearing by repeating a thing seven times. It is still around in the form of repeating a lie often enough that it seems true..
Both the stealing and the swearing seem to be connected to business,
politics and false worship. All these are the wicked principles of men who will do anything for gain.

V-4. The pox is on the individual and his house. He cannot blame his shortcomings on a system. "Everybody's doing it" won't get them off the hook.
Note the size of this roll. And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. This is 30 feet long by 15 feet high. God's warning of judgment is loud and clear. No one can say,"I didn't know!"

V-5-11.Zech 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.
Zech 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. Zech 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.
Zech 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.
Zech 5:9 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.
Zech 5:10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
Zech 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.

A. The flying Ephah. A basic measure for grain..A symbol of commerce, and it is worldwide. Even now, man is trying to undo what God did at the tower of Babel.
Commerce is one of the most effective tools by which the anti-christ will come to power. Our own nation is putting trade above principles in dealing with our avowed enemies.
Rev 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
B. The woman in the midst of the ephah. A woman, in prophecy symbolizes a religious system,usually false. This woman is in the midst of the ephah. She derives her power from, and is sustained by, world commerce. A picture of false religion aiding and abetting the evils of sinful practices. (Even Al Capone was said to be a devout catholic!.)
C. The weight of lead. The lid of the ephah is sealed, and the woman and the ephah are inescapably joined in judgment.

V -9-11. Zech 5:9 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.
Zech 5:10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
Zech 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.

The course of the world is determined, and will not be altered. (hooks in the jaws of the nations). Ezek 38:4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
v-11. A world center of religion will be established in Shinar. This was the location of Babylon, and points to the confusing amalgamation of the world’s secular and religious world over which satan shall wield his power.