**The Vision of the Flying Scroll and the Woman in the Basket**

In the second year of King Darius’ reign, the prophet Zechariah was awakened in the night by a divine visitation. The heavens seemed to part, and the voice of the Lord stirred his spirit once more. Before his eyes, the unseen realm unfolded in vivid detail, revealing mysteries that would shake the foundations of wickedness and bring forth the judgment of the Almighty.

### **The Flying Scroll of Judgment**

As Zechariah gazed upward, a massive scroll unfurled across the sky, its length stretching twenty cubits and its width ten cubits—a vast, imposing document suspended in midair by an unseen hand. The scroll was not rolled shut but lay open, its words blazing with fiery clarity. The prophet’s heart trembled, for he knew this was no ordinary parchment—it was the decree of divine justice.

Then the angel who spoke with him stepped forward, his countenance radiant with holy authority. *”Do you see what this is?”* the angel asked.

Zechariah, humbled by the sight, replied, *”No, my lord. What is it?”*

The angel’s voice thundered with solemnity: *”This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cut off according to what is written on one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be cut off according to what is written on the other.”*

The scroll bore the irrevocable judgment of God—one side condemning thieves, the other condemning liars. It was a declaration that no sin would go unpunished, no deceit hidden from the eyes of the Lord. The scroll did not merely hover—it moved with purpose, sweeping across the land like a relentless wind, entering the houses of the wicked and consuming them with the fire of divine retribution. The very timbers and stones of their homes would bear witness against them, collapsing under the weight of God’s wrath.

Zechariah shuddered at the severity of the vision, yet he understood: the Lord would cleanse His land of iniquity, for holiness must prevail in the dwelling place of the Most High.

### **The Woman in the Basket: The Embodiment of Wickedness**

No sooner had the scroll vanished from sight than the angel spoke again: *”Look up and see what this is that is appearing.”*

Zechariah lifted his eyes and beheld a strange and sinister sight—a large basket, like an ephah measure used for grain, moving through the air. Its heavy lead cover was lifted by a powerful hand, and within it sat a lone figure: a woman.

But this was no ordinary woman. Her form was shrouded in darkness, her eyes gleaming with malice. She crouched within the basket as if enthroned, her very presence exuding corruption. The angel’s voice cut through the silence: *”This is Wickedness.”*

With a swift motion, the lead cover was slammed shut, trapping the woman inside. Then, before Zechariah’s astonished gaze, two women appeared—winged like storks, their faces fierce with determination. They lifted the basket between them, their powerful wings beating against the sky as they carried it away.

*”Where are they taking it?”* Zechariah asked.

The angel replied, *”To the land of Shinar, to build a house for it. And when the house is prepared, the basket will be set there on its base.”*

Shinar—the ancient name for Babylon, the seat of rebellion against God. There, wickedness would be confined, no longer free to roam the land of Judah. The vision was clear: sin would be removed, not merely restrained, but exiled to a place far from God’s people.

### **The Meaning of the Visions**

As the night visions faded, Zechariah pondered their meaning. The flying scroll declared that God’s law would not return void—the guilty would face judgment. The woman in the basket revealed that wickedness itself would be uprooted and cast out, no longer defiling the land.

The Lord was preparing His people for a holy future, purging them of evil so that His presence might dwell among them unhindered. The promise was sure: though sin had stained the land, the day of cleansing would come.

And so, with the dawn breaking over the horizon, Zechariah arose, his spirit burdened yet hopeful. The word of the Lord had been revealed—judgment was certain, but so was redemption. The Almighty would not forsake His people, for He who decrees the curse also holds the key to restoration.

And thus, the prophet carried the vision in his heart, a fiery scroll of warning and a basket of wickedness borne away—testaments to the justice and mercy of the God of Israel.