Theme of God removing sin from His people (Zechariah 5:5-11)

Zechariah’s ephah vision aligns with a consistent biblical storyline. God does not tolerate wickedness among His people. He actively removes, judges, and ultimately destroys sin so His people can live in His presence.

Babylon becomes the symbolic destination where human rebellion is gathered for final judgment.

Zechariah: 5:1-4 (God's judgement of sinners), thieves who swear falsely by my name. 

Salvation in Christ: Romans 3:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13

Zechariah 5:5–11 communicates God’s removal of sin

The vision shows an ephah (a measuring basket) containing a woman who symbolizes Wickedness. A lead cover seals her inside. Two winged women lift the ephah and carry it to Shinar—the historic center of organized rebellion against God.

The message is direct. God does not just forgive His people. He removes the presence and influence of sin from among them. Wickedness is quarantined, transported away, and “set on a pedestal” in the land that represents human arrogance, idolatry, and self-exaltation.

This matches the broader biblical pattern: God restores His people by removing, judging, and banishing sin to preserve holiness.

Genesis 10:9–10 — Nimrod and Shinar’s foundation

Nimrod is described as a “mighty warrior before the Lord,” a phrase implying defiance. His kingdom includes Babel in Shinar, the birthplace of organized human rebellion. This passage connects Shinar with a culture that elevates human power over God’s authority.

Genesis 11:1–9 Tower of Babel

Humanity gathers in Shinar to build a tower “to make a name for ourselves.” God disrupts their rebellion by scattering them. The episode defines Shinar as the symbol of collective pride and self-salvation. Zechariah’s vision sends wickedness back to where it belongs.

2 Chronicles 36:15–21 Judah’s sin leads to exile in Babylon

Judah repeatedly rejects God’s warnings. God finally brings judgment by sending Babylon to destroy Jerusalem and carry the people into exile for seventy years. Babylon/Shinar represents the moral rot that comes from persistent disobedience. Zechariah’s audience knew this history. Wickedness must be removed or it corrupts the whole community.

Revelation 17–18 The fall of “Babylon the Great”

Babylon is the final, climactic symbol of human arrogance, false religion, exploitation, and sin. God judges and destroys it to purify the world before the final kingdom arrives. This completes the arc that began in Genesis. Sin is quarantined, judged, and eliminated.

God removes sin completely from His people. Psalm 103:10–12 “removes our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west.”

God purifies the unclean so they can stand in His presence. Isaiah 6:5–7 coal from the altar, removing guilt before commissioning him

God calls His people to separate from what defiles. Isaiah 52:11“Depart… touch no unclean thing.”

God removes obstacles and restores the contrite. Isaiah 57:14–15 "God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity. The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts."

God cleanses His people and gives them a new heart. Ezekiel 36:25–27

God removes iniquity and clothes His servant in purity. Zechariah 3:1–5: Rags to Riches, how the Holy Spirit changes us everyday

God refines His people and burns away impurity. Malachi 3:2–3

Jesus removes the sin of the world. John 1:29 Jesus is the Lamb “who takes away the sin of the world,” not merely forgives it.

Believers are freed from the dominion of sin. Romans 6:6–7

Sin no longer rules those led by the Spirit. Romans 8:1–4

God transfers His people from darkness to Christ's kingdom. Colossians 1:13–14

Christ cancels the record of sin and disarms spiritual powers. Colossians 2:13–15

Nothing impure will enter the new creation. Revelation 21:27

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Messianic symbols: Branch, Stone with Seven Eyes (Zechariah 3:8-9)

Zechariah’s night visions (Zechariah 1:7–6:8) center on two Messianic symbols. Together they describe a coming Priest-King who removes sin decisively and restores God’s people.

The Branch (Zemach): A prophetic title for the Messiah.

• Rooted in David’s line. Isaiah pictures a shoot from a dead stump (Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 4:2). Jeremiah strengthens the hope with a “righteous Branch” who will reign wisely (Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15).
• Priest and King in one person. Zechariah says the Branch will build God’s true temple, sit on the throne, and unite the two offices in a “counsel of peace” (Zechariah 6:12–13). Psalm 110 anticipates the same union: a King on David’s throne who is also a priest “forever” (Psalm 110:1–4).
• The Servant who removes sin. God calls Him “My Servant the Branch” (Zechariah 3:8). This echoes Isaiah’s Servant who bears sin and justifies many (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 53:4–6,11).

The Stone with Seven Eyes: A symbol of Messiah’s perfect authority, insight, and saving work (Zechariah 3:9).

• Seven eyes = full divine knowledge. Seven signals completeness (Genesis 2:2–3). Isaiah speaks of the “sevenfold Spirit” resting on the Messiah: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2–3).
• New Testament links. John identifies the seven eyes with the “seven Spirits of God” and applies them to the Lamb (Revelation 5:6). Peter identifies Christ as the Living Stone and Chief Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4–7; cf. Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16).
• Removal of sin in one day. God will “engrave” this stone and remove iniquity “in a single day” (Zechariah 3:9). This anticipates the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:12, 26; Hebrews 10:10–14; John 19:30).

“Seven Facets” or “Seven Springs”: Some propose the phrase may refer to facets or fountains, presenting Messiah as:

• A precious, perfectly cut cornerstone (cf. Isaiah 54:11–12).
• A source of living water for His people (cf. Zechariah 13:1; Zechariah 14:8; John 4:14; John 7:37–38).

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Consistent Obedience: Holiness Requires Practice, Not Theory (Leviticus 19:37)

Holiness is not a theological position we hold but a practiced reality we live. It's the daily choice to obey all of God's commands (Lev 19:37), fulfilled through Christ (Matt 5:17-19), demonstrated through action (James 1:22), and proven through consistent walking as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). Theory without practice is self-deception; consistent obedience is the mark of genuine faith.

Foundation in the Law

"Keep all my decrees and laws. I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:37)

This command concludes the holiness code of Leviticus 19, which covers everything from caring for the poor to honest business practices. The emphasis is on "all"—selective obedience is not holiness.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 reinforces this daily practice: God's commands should be on our hearts, taught to children, discussed at home and on the road, bound as symbols, written on doorframes. Obedience isn't occasional—it's woven into the fabric of life.

Jesus Affirms Ongoing Obedience

Matthew 5:17-19: Jesus didn't come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. He warns that anyone who sets aside even "the least of these commands" and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom. Righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (v. 20)—not in external rule-keeping, but in heart transformation that produces genuine obedience.

John 14:15, 21, 23: Jesus repeatedly connects love with obedience: "If you love me, keep my commands." This isn't legalism—it's the natural outflow of relationship. The one who has Jesus' commands and keeps them is the one who truly loves Him.

Doers, Not Hearers Only

James 1:22-25: "Do not merely listen to the word... Do what it says." James compares mere hearing to looking in a mirror and immediately forgetting what you look like. Consistent practice makes the difference between self-deception and blessing.

James 2:14-26: Faith without works is dead. Abraham was considered righteous for what he did when he offered Isaac (v. 21). Rahab was justified by what she did (v. 25). Theory and profession mean nothing without corresponding action.

Knowing God Through Keeping His Commands

1 John 2:3-6: "We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands." The one who claims to know God but doesn't keep His commands is a liar. But whoever obeys his word—in that person God's love is truly made complete. We prove we're in Christ by walking as Jesus walked.

Anyone who does what pleases God will live forever (1 John 2:17)

1 John 3:7: "The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous." Action reveals identity.

Holiness as Pursuit and Practice

1 Peter 1:15-16: "Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This quotes Leviticus 11:44-45, connecting Old Testament holiness to New Testament living.

Hebrews 12:14: "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Holiness requires effort—it's pursued, not passively received.

Philippians 2:12-13: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you." We work because God works in us—divine empowerment meets human responsibility.

Meditative, Daily Practice

Joshua 1:8: "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it." Success comes from doing what's written, not just knowing it.

Psalm 119 (the longest chapter in the Bible) celebrates God's law with phrases like:

• "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin" (v. 11)
• "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts" (v. 45)
• "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long" (v. 97)

Transformation Through Consistent Action

Romans 12:1-2: Present your bodies as living sacrifices—daily, ongoing surrender. Don't conform to the world's pattern but be transformed by renewing your mind. Transformation happens through practiced obedience.

2 Peter 1:5-8: Add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. These qualities, in increasing measure, keep us from being ineffective. Growth is incremental and practical.

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Ice in a cold windy city.

Enjoying Knowing God yet living in sin leads to destruction (Hosea 8-9) and thinking about the current moment the culture of Minneapolis finds itself with fraud, waste, and abuse. It's a good time to repent from sin, return the the Lord and pray for all people to receive a fresh start. 

 “They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind. The stalks of grain wither and produce nothing to eat. And even if there is any grain, foreigners will eat it. Hosea 8:7 (NLT)

My pastor had a good word this last Sunday, Be focused on Jesus not the current story but the greater story God is telling. As Stephen was killed, Saul approved - but later become the apostle Paul. Stephen models a legacy worth following. Live with clear mission, share the gospel. Desire forgiveness for sinners, not judgment. See people through eternity, not politics. Stand bold at death. Stephen dies praying, forgiveness and confident in Christ. Acts 7:59-60 He confessed to feeling "nuclear till they glow" in his heart toward people rather than, forgive them as we give up our lives as a heart attitude. 

I've been reminded lately of my friend Don Z, "the best thing I can do for those I'm leading is stay holy to the Lord." Hosea 8-9 captures why this is true. 

A) The Problem with "Knowing God" yet Living in Sin (Hosea 8)

8:1-3) Alarm! Covenant-Breaking Despite Claiming to Know God

Additional References:

• Titus 1:16 - "They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work."
• Matthew 7:21-23 - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father... I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
• 1 John 2:3-4 - "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar."
• James 2:14-17 - "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?... faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
• 2 Timothy 3:5 - "Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
• Jeremiah 11:1-10 - The covenant curse for those who don't obey the covenant terms
• Deuteronomy 28 - The blessings for obedience and curses for covenant-breaking

Application: True faith isn't a crisis hotline to God—it's a covenant relationship that transforms how we live daily.

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8:4-10) Planting Wind, Harvesting Whirlwind

Additional References:

• Galatians 6:7-8 - "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
• Job 4:8 - "As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same."
• Proverbs 22:8 - "Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail."
• 2 Corinthians 9:6 - "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
• Romans 6:21-23 - "What fruit were you getting from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death... the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life."

Application: Every choice is a seed—you cannot plant rebellion and expect to harvest righteousness.

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8:11-14) Forgotten Maker, Building Their Own Greatness

Additional References:

• Deuteronomy 8:11-20 - "Take care lest you forget the LORD your God... Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'"
• Psalm 106:13, 21 - "But they soon forgot his works... They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt."
• Jeremiah 2:32 - "Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number."
• Psalm 127:1 - "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."
• Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
• Luke 12:16-21 - The parable of the rich fool who built bigger barns but wasn't rich toward God
• Genesis 11:1-9 - Tower of Babel: humanity's attempt to "make a name for ourselves"
• Isaiah 22:11 - "You did not look to him who did it, or see him who planned it long ago."
• Habakkuk 1:16 - "Therefore he sacrifices to his net... for by them he lives in luxury" (worshiping our own efforts)

Application: When we forget God is our Creator, we become our own creators—building monuments to ourselves that will burn.

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B) Wasted Life Ends in Destruction (Hosea 9)

9:1-6) The Wasted Life: Spiritual Pollution and Homesickness

Additional References:

• James 4:4 - "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
• Ezekiel 16 & 23 - Extended metaphors of Israel's spiritual adultery
• Jeremiah 3:1-20 - "Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful."
• Romans 1:21-25 - "For although they knew God, they did not honor him... but became futile in their thinking... they exchanged the truth about God for a lie."
• Ephesians 2:1-3 - "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked... carrying out the desires of the body and the mind."
• Philippians 3:19 - "Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things."

On the Elder Brother (Luke 15:25-32):

• Matthew 20:1-16 - Workers in vineyard who complained about grace to latecomers
• Jonah 4 - Jonah angry at God's mercy to Nineveh
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - Without love, even right actions are nothing

Application: You can waste your life in two ways—the prodigal's reckless rebellion OR the elder brother's resentful religion. Both are far from the Father's heart.

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9:7-9) Payday for Sin: Hostility to God's Messengers

Additional References:

• Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
• 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - "The LORD... sent persistently to them by his messengers... but they kept mocking... until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy."
• Matthew 23:29-37 - Jesus condemns those who kill prophets: "You serpents, you brood of vipers!"
• Acts 7:51-53 - Stephen: "You stiff-necked people... you always resist the Holy Spirit... Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?"
• 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 - Those "who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets... displeasing God and opposing all mankind"

On Sin as Default Occupation vs. Vocation:

• Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
• Colossians 3:23-24 - "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Since sin pays death but God gives eternal life, present yourself to Him and live as one freed from sin and bound to righteousness. (Romans 6:11-23)

• Reject sin’s rule. You are dead to sin and alive to God, so do not let sin control your body. Under grace, offer yourself to God as an instrument of righteousness and live out the Law of Love.
• Renounce old patterns. Sin’s power has been broken. Leaving impurity behind protects you from increasing wickedness and from the shame that sin produces.
• Offer yourself fully to God. Obey from the heart. Become a servant of righteousness that leads to holiness and ends in eternal life through Christ.

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9:10-14) From Fresh Grapes to Barrenness

Additional References:

• Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard: "He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!"
• Jeremiah 2:21 - "Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?"
• John 15:1-6 - "I am the vine; you are the branches... If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers."
• Luke 13:6-9 - Parable of the barren fig tree given one more year
• Matthew 21:18-19 - Jesus curses the barren fig tree
• Deuteronomy 32:32-33 - "For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom... their grapes are grapes of poison."

Application: God plants us to bear fruit for His kingdom. Barrenness isn't neutrality—it's judgment.

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9:15-17) Rejected for Disobedience: Homelessness

Additional References:

• 1 Samuel 15:23 - "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king."
• Jeremiah 6:19 - "Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words."
• Hebrews 12:25 - "See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape."
• Proverbs 1:24-31 - Wisdom rejected leads to calamity: "Because you have ignored all my counsel... I also will laugh at your calamity."
• Lamentations 1:1-3 - Jerusalem's desolation: "How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow... she weeps bitterly in the night."
• Duet 32:52 - "So you will see the land from a distance, but you may not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel."

On Listening and Obeying (Jesus' Teaching):

• James 1:22-25 - "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
• Matthew 7:24-27 - Wise builder builds on rock (hearing + doing); foolish builder builds on sand (hearing only)
• John 8:31-32, 47 - "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples... Whoever is of God hears the words of God."
• Luke 6:46-49 - "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"
• Revelation 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door..."

On Salt and Light (Luke 8-14 themes):

• Matthew 5:13-16 - "You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world."
• Luke 8:16-18 - "No one after lighting a lamp covers it... For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest."
• Luke 11:33-36 - "Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light."
• Philippians 2:15 - "That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."

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Summary Cross-References on the Central Theme:

The Danger of Empty Religion:

• Isaiah 29:13 / Matthew 15:8 - "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."
• Amos 5:21-24 - "I hate, I despise your feasts... let justice roll down like waters."
• Micah 6:6-8 - "What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

The Path to Life:

• Deuteronomy 30:15-20 - "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil... Choose life!"
• Joshua 24:15 - "Choose this day whom you will serve... as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
• John 14:6 - "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Final Application: Knowing about God means nothing without knowing and obeying God. The fruit reveals the root.

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Trinity: Christians interpret the Old Testament with a lens of the New Testament

Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one"

1)LORD, 2)God, 3)LORD is ONE

We read the Old Testament through the lens of New Testament revelation.

Jesus taught that the Scriptures find their meaning in Him. Luke 24:27 says He interpreted “in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Hebrews 1:1–2 explains that God spoke “in many times and various ways” through the prophets, but has now spoken definitively through His Son. Paul affirms in 2 Corinthians 3:14–16 that the veil over the Old Testament is removed only in Christ. Peter adds in 1 Peter 1:10–12 that the prophets were serving future generations as the plan of salvation unfolded.

Christ is key to understanding Old Testament prophecies.
Jesus claims fulfillment: “These are my words… everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). Matthew anchors Jesus’ life repeatedly with “this happened to fulfill…” (Matthew 1:22–23; 2:5–6; 2:15; 2:17–18). Jesus applies messianic passages directly to Himself such as Isaiah 61 in Luke 4:18–21. Peter preaches that all the prophets pointed to the suffering and resurrection of Christ (Acts 3:18, 24).

Progressive revelation brings later clarity to earlier hints.
Hebrews 10:1 explains the law was a “shadow of the good things to come.” Colossians 2:16–17 says feasts and Sabbaths were “a shadow,” but “the substance belongs to Christ.” Ephesians 3:4–6 teaches that the mystery of Christ was “not made known” in earlier generations as it has now been revealed. John 1:17 contrasts Moses’ law with the fuller grace and truth in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:23–25 describes the law as a guardian until Christ came.

The Trinity is revealed gradually across both Testaments.
Hints appear early: Genesis 1:26 says, “Let us make man in our image.” Isaiah 48:16 and Isaiah 61:1 show the Speaker, the Lord, and the Spirit in a shared work. Psalm 110:1 reveals the Lord speaking to the Lord, a key text Jesus uses in Matthew 22:41–46. Clear revelation comes in the New Testament: Jesus’ baptism shows Father, Son, and Spirit together (Matthew 3:16–17). The Great Commission commands baptism “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). John 14–16 presents the mutual sending of the Son and the Spirit by the Father. Paul concludes with a Trinitarian blessing in 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Shama

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