Question 1

What is the flying roll that Zechariah sees in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The flying roll, or scroll, is a picture of God’s curse going out over the whole land. It is large and clearly seen, showing that God’s warning is open and public. The writing on it matches God’s law and points to sins like stealing and swearing falsely. The scroll “flies” to show that God’s judgment moves quickly and surely. It does not stay far off but enters the house of the guilty and stays there until the sin and its support are consumed. It tells us that no sin is hidden from God.

Question 2

Why are stealing and false swearing singled out in this vision?

Accepted Answer

Stealing harms other people and shows no respect for what belongs to them or to God. False swearing means using God’s name to support a lie, which treats His holy name as something cheap. These two sins picture both parts of God’s commands: sins against neighbors and sins directly against God. They were common in the land and showed deep moral decay. By naming them, God shows that everyday sins people may excuse are serious before Him and will be judged unless there is repentance.

Question 3

What does it mean that the curse enters the house and consumes it?

Accepted Answer

When God says the curse will enter the house of the thief and the one who swears falsely, it shows that His judgment is personal and thorough. It does not only touch public life but comes into the private home, where people might think they are safe or unseen. The words about consuming the timber and stones picture complete ruin. Sin does not just stain a corner of life; it brings harm to the whole person and can affect the whole household. God is warning that unrepented sin will not remain unpunished.

Question 4

What is the ephah in Zechariah’s vision and why is there a woman inside it?

Accepted Answer

An ephah is a measuring basket for grain. In this vision it stands for a full measure of sin. Inside sits a woman, and the angel plainly says, “This is wickedness.” She represents the collected evil among the people, not just one act. The lead weight used as a lid shows that God can restrain and shut in this wickedness. The picture is strange on purpose, so we will feel how ugly and heavy sin is. It teaches that God sees the measure of evil and deals with it in His time.

Question 5

Why is wickedness carried to the land of Shinar in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The land of Shinar is another way of speaking about Babylon, a place known for pride against God. In the vision, the ephah with Wickedness inside is carried away and set on a base there. This shows that God is removing the center of wickedness from His people and allowing it to settle where it belongs, far from the holy land. It is both judgment on sin and mercy to the land of Judah. God will not let evil remain at home among His people but will cleanse and separate it from them.

Question 6

Who are the two women with stork-like wings carrying the ephah?

Accepted Answer

The passage describes two women with wings like a stork and wind in their wings lifting the ephah between earth and heaven. It does not clearly tell us who they are, and this verse has been understood in more than one way. What is clear is that they are the means God uses to move wickedness away. Their strong wings and the wind show that this removal is swift and guided from above. The main point is not their identity, but that God has the power and the agents to carry out His judgment.

Question 7

What does this passage teach about God’s character and view of sin?

Accepted Answer

This vision shows that God takes sin very seriously. He sees theft, lies, and all forms of wickedness, even when people hide them in their homes. He sends a curse that reaches everywhere, which shows His justice and holiness. At the same time, by sealing wickedness in the ephah and removing it to another land, He shows mercy to His people by cleansing them. God is both just and kind: He judges sin, but He also works to remove it so that His people can be restored.

Question 8

How can a modern reader apply the message of the flying scroll and ephah?

Accepted Answer

Today this passage can lead us to search our own hearts and homes. It reminds us not to treat sins like dishonesty, cheating, or casual use of God’s name as small or harmless. God still sees and still cares about truth and fairness. The picture of the ephah warns against letting sin pile up without repentance. At the same time, we can take comfort that God is able to restrain evil and remove it. A right response is honest confession, turning from known sin, and trusting God to clean what we cannot fix ourselves.

Zechariah 5:1

Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

The Vision of the Flying Scroll

The Vision of the Woman in a Basket

The Vision of the Flying Scroll

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Zechariah 5:1

Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

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The Vision of the Flying Scroll

The Vision of the Woman in a Basket

The Vision of the Flying Scroll

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