October 12, 2005

Chap.5:1-4 –brings us to the 6^th vision given to Zechariah.  Earlier we have seen God’s favor to be given to Israel with mercy upon Jerusalem (1:12-14) alongside God’s disfavor upon the disinterested Gentiles (1:15) and His judgment upon her enemies (1:21).  Further, Jerusalem is to be rebuilt and enlarged under God’s protective hand (2:4-10); this is made complete with the restored priesthood ((3:1-5) ultimately fulfilled by “My servant,the BRANCH” (Messiah).

Due to His presence through the office of priest & king, Israel will be a light to

the nations (4:1-14).  Now, this 6^th vision speaks of the LORD’s severe punishment upon those failing the Law both in Zechariah’s day and reaching forward to the prophetic rule of Messiah in the millennium.

“a flying scroll”- this is a roll of paper or skin, often using two sticks of wood, on which words would be written both on front and back.  “flying” is a participle denoted continuous action [floating]—this indicated its active nature.  This scroll represent the active work of the Word of God (Heb.4:12)—note “according to what is on this side of the scroll” and “what is on that side of the scroll”

 in vs. 4.---the same expression is used of the 2 tables of Law- Ex.32:15.

The size of the scroll is 30 ft.long by 15 ft. wide—the size of the Tabernacle according to Ex.26:15-25 (measuring the boards).  Further, it is stated “this is the curse that goes over the face of the whole earth”—this statement

reminds of Deut.28-30-  “curse” (see 29:19 and Gal.3:10).

  One must also take note of 5:3 “every thief….every perjurer…” [KJV has

“him that sweareth falsely by my name”]—Those sins correspond to the

third and eighth commandments, respectively.  Those are the middle ones on

either half of the 10 commandments, thus representing the whole body of the 10 commandments.  It should therefore be evident, the “flying scroll” that is a

“curse”- speaks of divine judgment upon personal sin. Since the earlier visions

carried us to the time of Messiah’s rule, we conclude this vision speaks of the enforcement of Divine Law during Christ’s reign.  Remember that His reign is described in terms of a “rod of iron”- see Rev.2:27, 12:5 and 19:15.

   “I will send out the curse says the LORD of hosts”- this “curse” is divine retribution upon both Israel and the nations with respect to the Deuteronomic

Covenant—see 30:3-6 on conversion of Israel and discipline upon the nations

in 30:7.  The curse goes to “the face of the whole earth” which involves more than just Israel. The wonderful provisions of the millennial reign concerning blessings are alongside the severity of judgment upon those who refuse Messiah’s power and rule.

  “it shall remain…and consume it, with its timber & stones”—the judgment during the millennium will be both severe and swift. (compare Ecc.8:11).  The expression “timber and stones” remind us of Lev.14:45 in the complete disassembling  of the house of the leper- pix of sin.

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  “consume it” uses the intensive causative to show the thorough nature of divine indignation against sin—this may be shown in parables in Matt.24:45-51 and 25:14-30 where someone is excluded—likely referring to exclusion from the experience of the millennium as a result of failing to serve the Lord during the tribulation period.  Ezk. 20:35-38 may figure into this as well.

   Clearly, the grace age is a time of “salvation” (II Cor.6:2), but the time of

Christ’s rule will tolerate little or no rebellion.

  Returning to the two sins specifically mentioned in vs.3; they are: theft and

perjury.  Take note of Malachi 3:8 in stealing from God and Isaiah 59:13 with respect to falsehood by oath.