Zechariah 5:10-11

Zechariah 5:10-11 (ESV): “10 Then I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they taking the basket?” 11 He said to me, “To the land of Shinar, to build a house for it. And when this is prepared, they will set the basket down there on its base.””

In the Bible, Babylon is a symbol of extreme wealth, power, and the corruption that comes with them. Beware of Babylon in your own heart, lest you allow it to be tainted with wickedness.

Zechariah was shown a basket with a leaden cover, which symbolized commerce. Wickedness is often portrayed as a woman in Scripture because the Hebrew word for “wickedness” is a feminine noun. Taken together, these images represent greed, materialism, and dishonest gain. As the exiles return from Babylon, they are going to struggle with such things. Yet the Lord will remove the temptation and return it to its source, where it will eventually be demolished by Jesus (Rev. 18).

Do you have an insatiable desire for the material things of this world? If so, you are in grave danger of serious corruption. The lust for materialism and worldly gain will cause you to forsake everything to obtain it. Thus, Jesus states, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Don’t trade your soul for temporary wealth and power. Let Jesus bring contentment into your heart, just as He did for the exiles returning from Babylon. Amen?

Father, the things of this world are enticing to our flesh. Protect us from being pulled into the vacuum of discontentment. You are far more than enough, so help us to hold fast to that truth. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.