The Flying Scroll:
The vision of the flying scroll was God’s judgment across the land. Judgment against those who violated God’s law (Jeremiah 36:1-6), especially regarding the stealing and lying (5:1-4). The woman in the ephah (basket) exemplified wickedness, thus this vision showed that wickedness would not just be seriously rebuffed (the vision of the flying scroll), yet additionally exiled (the vision of the woman in the ephah, 5:6-9). (Revelation 10:2, 8-11; Deuteronomy 27:15-26; Jeremiah 26:6)
Judgment would be brought to God’s people then to rest of the world. The flying scroll declares righteous wrath of God against sinners. The flying scroll could also represent the Ten Commandments that used to hang on our nation’s courtroom walls. We are responsible for our own deeds. The world cannot change if they do not have someone to show them the way. We cannot show the world our Savior if we are not where we need to be in our relationship with Jesus Christ. (Leviticus 14:34-45; Deuteronomy 7:26; Habakkuk 2:9-11; Malachi 3:5)
Ezekiel 2:9-10, “And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.”
Isaiah 24:6, “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.”
Jeremiah 2:26, “As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets.”
The Basket:
The woman in the basket (ephah) was carried away to a far country, Babylon (“the land of Shinar”), which had turned into an image, the focal point of worldly wickedness and idol worship (Leviticus 19:36; Amos 8:5; Hosea 12:7; Micah 6:11). This woman was an image to Zechariah that evil and sin would be detracted from Israel, and one day sin will be taken out from the whole earth. When Christ died on the cross, He eliminated sin's power and punishment. When we confide in Him to excuse us from our sins, He eliminates the punishment of transgression and provides us the strength and power to conquer sin in our lives. How? By the power of Jesus Christ. When the time comes for Christ’s return, He will eliminate all of sin’s presence from the earth, and when Christ reigns forever more, all transgression will be disposed of, and His people will live eternally in safety and security.
Isaiah 11:11, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.”
What’s the similarities?
So, how similar is the flying scroll and basket like Christians of today? Are there any similarities that can be found? Have people of today violated God’s Laws? We can see innocent children being murdered (abortions). We see idolatry and sexual perversion everywhere. What used to be hidden in the closet or in the back yard is now on full display in the front yard, and they display it proudly. Sin is sin. We can read in the Bible about what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah for their perverse wickedness (Genesis 18:20-32, 19:1-24; Matthew 10:14-15; Luke 10:11-12).
What will it take for the people to get their hearts right with God? God will deliver His people, but at what cost? What will it cost the people to be delivered? What did it cost God? Judgment is coming to God’s children for disobedience and judgment is coming to those who refuse God.
