Zechariah 5:5

Then the angel who was speaking with me came forward and told me, "Now lift up your eyes and see what is approaching."

Study Bible

Then the angel who was speaking with me came forward and told me
In the book of Zechariah, angels often serve as messengers and interpreters of visions. This particular angel is a divine guide, providing clarity and understanding to the prophet. The presence of angels in Zechariah's visions underscores the heavenly origin of the messages and the importance of divine revelation. Angels are frequently depicted as God's messengers throughout the Bible, such as in Genesis 19 with Lot and in Luke 1 with Mary. The angel's role here is to ensure that Zechariah comprehends the vision, which is crucial for conveying God's message to the people.

“Now lift up your eyes and see
The command to "lift up your eyes" is a call to attention and awareness, urging Zechariah to focus on the vision being presented. This phrase is often used in Scripture to signify the need for spiritual insight and understanding beyond the physical realm. For example, in Genesis 13:14, God tells Abram to lift up his eyes to see the land promised to him. It is an invitation to perceive divine realities and truths that are not immediately apparent. This call to see is not just physical but spiritual, encouraging the prophet to discern the deeper meaning of the vision.

what is approaching.”
The phrase "what is approaching" indicates an impending event or revelation. In the context of Zechariah's visions, it often signifies a future occurrence or judgment. This particular vision involves a flying scroll, symbolizing God's judgment against sin, specifically theft and falsehood, as detailed in the subsequent verses. The notion of something approaching can also be seen in prophetic literature as a forewarning of God's intervention, as in the coming of the Day of the Lord described in Joel 2. It serves as a reminder of the certainty of God's plans and the need for readiness and repentance among His people.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Zechariah
A prophet of the post-exilic period, Zechariah is the recipient of visions and messages from God, intended to encourage and guide the Israelites as they rebuild Jerusalem and the temple.

2. The Angel
A divine messenger who communicates God's visions and messages to Zechariah. This angel serves as a guide and interpreter for Zechariah's visions.

3. The Vision
This particular vision is part of a series of eight visions given to Zechariah, each with symbolic meaning related to the restoration and future of Israel.

Teaching Points

Divine Communication
God often uses intermediaries, such as angels, to communicate His will and plans to His people. This underscores the importance of being attentive to God's messages, whether through Scripture, prayer, or other means.

Spiritual Awareness
The command to "lift up your eyes" suggests the need for spiritual awareness and readiness to perceive God's work in our lives. We should cultivate a mindset that is open to seeing beyond the physical and into the spiritual realities.

God's Active Involvement
The vision indicates that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people. We can take comfort in knowing that God is not distant but is working out His purposes in the world.

Symbolism in Scripture
Understanding the symbolic nature of biblical visions can enrich our interpretation of Scripture. We should seek to understand the cultural and historical context to grasp the full meaning of these symbols.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the role of the angel in Zechariah 5:5 compare to the role of angels in other biblical visions, such as those in Daniel and Revelation?

2. What does the command to "lift up your eyes" teach us about our posture towards receiving God's messages today?

3. In what ways can we cultivate spiritual awareness in our daily lives to better perceive God's work around us?

4. How does understanding the symbolic nature of Zechariah's visions help us interpret other prophetic passages in the Bible?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt God was actively involved in your life. How did you perceive His presence and guidance during that time?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Zechariah 1:9-11
Earlier in the book, Zechariah interacts with an angel who explains the visions, establishing a pattern of divine communication and interpretation.

Revelation 1:1
Similar to Zechariah, the Apostle John receives visions through an angel, highlighting the continuity of divine revelation through angelic messengers.

Daniel 8:15-16
Daniel also receives visions that are explained by an angel, showing a consistent method of God revealing His plans through visions and angelic interpretation.