Zechariah 5-8

Message #7 (Zechariah 5:1-4)
*This vision was seen, seemingly, after the previous vision

What was the vision?
Zechariah saw a large flying scroll (about 30 ft long & 15 ft wide)

What did the vision mean?
Zechariah was told that the scroll was a curse against the whole land. One side of the scroll cursed thieves while the other side cursed liars. The result of the curse was the destruction of the house of the wicked and banishment from the land. If this vision fits with the following 2 visions, it seems this one speaks of the eradication of sin from among God's people whereas the next vision speaks of the removal of sin to Babylon and the third speaks of the ultimate eradication of evil from the land.

Message #8 (Zechariah 5:5-11)
* This vision was seen, seemingly, after the previous vision

What was the vision?
Zechariah saw a basket with a lead cover. The cover was raised and there was a woman inside! The cover was then replaced before two winged women lifted the basket and took it to Babylonia to build a house for it.

What did the vision mean?
The vision represented wickedness being removed from the land and taken to Babylonia. In other words, it seems to me, the vision was communicating the fact that sin belongs in Babylon, not in Israel. There was no place for iniquity within Israel. At some future (for Zechariah) point, iniquity will be removed. So in the 1st vision sin was destroyed in Israel. In the 2nd vision sin is taken to Babylonia.

Message #9 (Zechariah 6:1-8)
*This vision was seen, seemingly, after the previous vision

What was the vision?
Zechariah saw 4 chariots (w/red, black, white & dappled horses respectively) coming from between 2 mountains of bronze. Specifically, some went toward the north country (Babylonia)

What did the vision mean?
Previously, in the 1st of Zechariah's vision, 4 horses/riders and scoped out the earth and found its inhabitants to be at peace. This, however, made the Lord angry. Now, His judgment against those nations is at hand (as seen by these 4 war chariots). The 4 seems to simply represent the 4 directions. In other words, His judgment was to be against the entire land. The specific focus on Babylon seems to indicate His specific displeasure for their 'ease'. Thus, this last of Zechariah's early visions promises judgment on Babylon and all of Israel's enemies for their wickedness.

Message #10 (Zechariah 6:9-15)
* This symbolic action, seemingly, took place soon after the previous vision

What was the action?
Zechariah was to meet with some new arrivals from Babylon and collect silver and gold from them in order to make a crown. He was, then, to place the crown on the head of the High Priest Joshua.

What did the action symbolize?
The action showed the importance of Joshua in the building project. In a limited sense, this may have been fulfilled in Joshua's own life, but it seems to me that the true fulfillment of this symbolic action is in Jesus Christ (same name as 'Joshua'). The 'branch' is to be recognized as a messianic term. The true temple is Jesus Christ and the church (13). Jesus Christ is the one who truly sits on the throne. Jesus is the one who brought the offices of Priest and King together (13). Jesus Christ is the one who opened the door for those who are 'far away' (15).
Just as 3:8 declared, Joshua, here, is symbolic of the One to come (Jesus).

Message #11 (Zechariah 7:1-8:23)
* This Q&A took place in the 4th year of King Darius

What was the question?
The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer & Regem-Melech (with their men) to ask the priests/prophets whether or not they should continue to mourn & fast in the 5th month as was their custom. (Clarification: They seem to have been asking, "Should we continue to mourn and fast now that the '70 years' are over?" The exiles had various occasions for mourning and fasting:

--In the 4th month to remember when the wall had been breached
--In the 5th month to remember when the city had been burned (Jeremiah 52:12)
--In the 7th month to remember when Gedaliah had been killed (2 Kings 25:25)
--in the 10th month to remember when the seige had begun (Jeremiah 52:4)

What was the Answer?
The rest of the chapter consists of Zechariah's Answer to this question:

1. The first part of his answer was another question: Have their fasts even been meaningful? Were they not obviously ritual without changed hearts? Weren't the people entirely self-centered in their rituals? Hadn't God Himself brought about their exile? In other words, they had been fasting and mourning something that God had ordained b/c of the hardness of their hearts.

2. The second part of his answer shows what God was really after. Instead of ritual, he wanted changed hearts and behaviors. He wanted them to be just, merciful, compassionate, non-oppressive to the needy, not evil in their thinking. Their ancestors had hardened their hearts and done failed to follow these commands and so God had become angry. The exile was not some random unfortunate event, it was brought about by an angry God.

3. The third part of his answer shows that God still has a plan to bless His people. This section is made up of 10 promises:

1. God is very jealous for Zion (Jerusalem)
2. God will return to Zion in greatness
3. Quality of life will improve in Zion
4. It is not too difficult for God to bring these improvements
5. God's people will be saved from their enemies and their will be a true return from exile
6. Renewed work would bring renewed prosperity and influence
7. God would bring good to Zion & Judah provided they remain people of truth, justice & righteousness
8. The fasts on the 4th, 5th, 7th & 10th months will become celebrations
9. People from many nations and cities will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord
10. The gentile population will, seemingly, outnumber the Jewish population among God's people