John Calvin Commentary Zechariah 5:9-11

"Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there came forth two women, and the wind was in their wings; now they had wings like the wings of a stork; and they lifted up the ephah between earth and heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build her a house in the land of Shinar: and when it is prepared, she shall be set there in her own place." — Zechariah 5:9-11 (ASV)

The Prophet says here that the change of things would be such that God would in turn afflict the Chaldeans, who had so cruelly treated the chosen people. This is the reason I think that iniquity should be understood as the violent injustice and plunder which pagan enemies had inflicted upon the Jews. For when he says that a house would be for iniquity in the land of Shinar, it is as if he had said, “As Judea has for a long time been plundered by enemies and exposed to their outrages, so the Chaldeans in their turn shall be punished—not once, nor for a short time, but perpetually, for God will establish a dwelling place for wickedness in their land.”

From this, we see the purpose of the vision: that when God had mercy on His Church, its enemies would have to give an account, and they would not escape God’s hand, even though He had used them to chastise His people.

He says then that wickedness was taken away so that a house might be made for it—that is, so that it might have a fixed and permanent dwelling in the land of Shinar (which means among the Chaldeans, who had been persistent enemies of the Jews). Since Babylon was the capital of that empire, he includes under this term all the ungodly who opposed or persecuted the children of God.

It is not clear to me why God represents the measure as being carried away by women rather than by men, except perhaps so that the Jews might know that there was no need for any warlike preparations. Instead, their strongest enemies could be laid low by weak and feeble instruments; thus, under the appearance of weakness, His own power would be made evident.

The Prophet saw women with wings because the change would be sudden, so that in one day, as we will soon see, wickedness was taken away. By the wings of a stork, either swiftness or strength is indicated. This is the essence of the whole matter.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that as You threaten us with severe punishment to restrain us from sin, we may heed Your judgment and not abuse Your long-suffering in sparing us for a time. Also, whenever You chastise us, may we seriously consider that we deserve Your displeasure, as we have in various ways provoked Your wrath. May we not at the same time despair or be broken down, but learn so to rely on Your mercy as not to doubt that there will be a timely end to our troubles. May we trust that You will not only lessen the severity of punishment as far as necessary for our comfort, but will also punish our enemies. In this way, may we know that nothing is better for us, or more desirable, than to be chastised by Your hand—not that You might destroy us, but to recall us to the way of salvation, until we are at last made capable of receiving that favor which has been stored up for us in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.