Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
There are two visions in chapter 5: the flying scroll and the woman in a basket. Both relate to the purging of wickedness from the land. The huge scroll flies like a bat or a bird of prey. Remorselessly, it seeks out the thieves and liars who dishonour God and undermine society. The woman is contained in an 'ephah' basket, much too small for anyone to fit inside in real life. An emblem of wickedness, she is securely sealed inside, air-mailed back to Babylon where she belongs, and worshipped there.
These strange visions have a theme. God's people are being restored to their land, and they are being given a fresh start. They can't expect to be blessed if they are behaving dishonestly. Neither can they expect to be blessed if they worship pagan gods and goddesses, who have no place in their land; that sort of thing got them into trouble in the first place. Zechariah's vivid sermon illustrations drive this teaching home: they belong to God, and they should live accordingly.
There's something very powerful about these visions. They give energy and imagination to morality and theology. We all know lying and stealing is wrong, but we might not have Zechariah's sense of dread at these sins. We try not to 'worship' things like wealth or power, but might not seal our sinful ambitions with lead and send them far out of reach. Discipleship is demanding. God wants our all.
God, make me sensitive to sin in my life, and give me a holy horror of doing wrong. Keep me faithful to you in thought, word and deed.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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