Zechariah 5 – The LORD Will Dispose of Evil

A meditation to Zechariah 5.

TWO NIGHT VISIONS connect in Zechariah 5 to confirm what the Lord is doing.

The Lord is acquitting his faithful who have been driven into exile, and more so, he is also condemning those who have been wrongly acquitted.

In the sixth night vision, a massive flying scroll resembling a sheet is symbolic for the imposing power of God’s Word as it hovers over the earth, bringing judgment through righteousness — the faithful will be vindicated; the wicked, judged. Everyone in the vicinity on earth can see it. It’s literally “a curse over the face of all the land.” It’s a curse for covenant violators. The two crimes-of-covenant in view are 1) those who swear falsely (i.e. liars) (3rd commandment); and 2) those who steal (8th commandment). The first is a sin against Yahweh, the second is a sin against one’s neighbour. Those who seem to get away with these kinds of treachery will get away with nothing.

Proverbs tells us that the Lord detests the acquitting of the guilty and the condemning of the innocent; that the innocent deserve justice (Proverbs 17:15; 18:15; 24:24-25).

From verse 5 we see the seventh night vision unfold. The guilty are the focus here. Those who have transgressed the Lord’s covenant are designated as “Iniquity.” They are not only incarcerated (in a basket), they are also about to be carried off to Babylon — a hell of their own just desserts. There they will be set down and founded permanently. There they will receive no chance for redemption. There the judgment is damning. There is where those who sin capriciously will go. This means great hope for those who are truly endeavouring to be faithful to the Lord; the repentant.

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What does all this mean?

There are people who wreak havoc in our lives without seeming to care. There are also times when we don’t care sufficiently. This is an encouragement to us in the first instance — those who have spelt injustices out into our lives will not get away with it. This is a challenge to us in the second instance — it’s not too late for us to go back and make things right.

God will not let the innocent suffer forever. He cannot let the guilty go free.

We are urged to tell the truth, even when it hurts (Psalm 15:4). We are also urged to steal, covet, and lust after, nothing. Faithfulness to God is honesty and contentedness.

Remember, all in his timing! “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years” (2 Peter 3:8; cf. Psalm 90:4). Justice will come, but not today. Patience decrees we wait as if we were not waiting at all. Justice will come!

© 2015 Steve Wickham.