The Woman in the Measuring Basket
May 10, 2020
Commentary
In this chapter we have two visions, by which “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” God will do great and kind things for His people, which the faithful sons of Israel shall rejoice in, but “let the sinners in Zion be afraid;” for God will reckon severely with those among them that are wicked and profane.
The sixth vision is that of a flying scroll (v. 1). A scroll was a roll of writing paper on which copies of biblical books were written. It can be divided into two parts:
Details of the vision (vv. 1,2) Interpretation of the vision (vv. 3,4) This scroll appears to be about 30 feet long and 15 feet wide (v. 2). It is interesting to note that this size is the same as that of the holy place in the tabernacle. It represents the words of God’s curse going out over the entire earth as it reveals sin and brings sinners to destruction.
Details of the seventh vision concerning the woman in the ephah (measuring basket) (vv. 5-11). Zechariah tells the people that not only must sin be removed from the hearts of individuals but also from the land of Judah itself. The ephah was an instrument used to measure grain. Israel had been contaminated by her activity in Babylon which was the source of idolatry and other sins against God. The winged women (v. 9) are agents of the Lord. In this vision they transport the dreadful load of Israel’s curse back to their origin in Babylon.
Application
As I read this I can better understand what was happening in Iraq with Saddam Hussein in power. However, it is only by the grace of God and me staying close to Him or I would be the same.
Zechariah 5:1– 11 (NET)
1 Then I turned to look, and there was a flying scroll! 2 Someone asked me, “What do you see?” I replied, “I see a flying scroll 30 feet long and 15 feet wide.” 3 The speaker went on to say, “This is a curse traveling across the whole earth. For example, according to the curse whoever steals will be removed from the community; or on the other hand (according to the curse) whoever swears falsely will suffer the same fate.” 4 “I will send it out,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and it will enter the house of the thief and of the person who swears falsely in my name. It will land in the middle of his house and destroy both timber and stones.”
5 After this the angelic messenger who had been speaking to me went out and said, “Look, see what is leaving.” 6 I asked, “What is it?” And he replied, “It is a basket for measuring grain that is moving away from here.” Moreover, he said, “This is their ‘eye’ throughout all the earth.” 7 Then a round lead cover was raised up, revealing a woman sitting inside the basket. 8 He then said, “This woman represents wickedness,” and he pushed her down into the basket and placed the lead cover on top. 9 Then I looked again and saw two women going forth with the wind in their wings (they had wings like those of a stork), and they lifted up the basket between the earth and the sky. 10 I asked the messenger who was speaking to me, “Where are they taking the basket?” 11 He replied, “To build a temple for her in the land of Babylonia. When it is finished, she will be placed there in her own residence.”
Illustration: Hobo Asks For Food At a Pub Called George
A hobo knocked on the door of an English pub called “George and the Dragon.” A woman opened the door. He asked, “Could I have a bit to eat?” The woman screamed at him and began to curse and malign him. Finally she slammed the door in his face. He knocked again and the woman opened the door. “Now,” he said, “could I have a few words with George?” (Source Unknown).