Purpose

To encourage temple rebuilding and reveal God's future plans for Israel and the Messiah.

Author

Zechariah, son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo, was a priest and prophet who returned from Babylonian exile. His name means 'The Lord remembers,' reflecting his message of God's faithfulness.

Historical Context

Written: 520-480 BC. The period of temple rebuilding and the community's need for encouragement about the future.

Significance

Contains more prophecies about Christ's first and second coming than any other minor prophet.

Key Themes

Restoration, Messiah, God's Faithfulness, Future Glory, Cleansing

Interesting Facts

• Zechariah had eight visions in one night (chapters 1-6)
• He prophesied that the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey
• Zechariah predicted the Messiah would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver

Prophecies

• The Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9) Fulfilled: Jesus' triumphal entry (Matthew 21:5) (500 years later)
• The Messiah would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12) Fulfilled: Judas' betrayal of Jesus (Matthew 27:9) (500 years later)

In Zechariah Chapter 5, the prophet Zechariah continues to receive vivid visions that convey God's messages about sin and judgment. The chapter opens with Zechariah’s observation of a flying scroll, measuring twenty cubits in length and ten cubits in width. This scroll symbolizes a curse that is destined to go out over the land, highlighting the consequences of sin, specifically focusing on theft and false oaths. The scroll serves as a divine message from God, indicating that those who commit these offenses will face judgment, as the scroll will enter their homes and consume them entirely. Following the vision of the scroll, Zechariah sees a basket, which the angel explains contains the iniquity of the land. A woman representing 'Wickedness' is revealed in the basket, representing the pervasive nature of sin among the people. The angel then puts the leaden weight back on the basket, signifying that wickedness is being contained. The chapter concludes with two women, depicted with wings like storks, lifting the basket and carrying it away to the land of Shinar, which historically represents Babylon. This symbolizes the removal of wickedness from Israel and the consequences of sin being taken away to a place associated with idolatry and rebellion. This chapter serves as an important reminder of God’s justice and the need for purity in the community, reinforcing the idea that sin cannot be overlooked. The imagery used by Zechariah is both striking and profound, emphasizing that God's judgment is real and that He is aware of the moral state of His people. The visions of the scroll and the basket encapsulate the themes of judgment, sin, and divine intervention, underscoring the necessity for the people of Israel to align themselves with God's will during their time of rebuilding and renewal.