THE WOMAN IN THE EPHAH
Zech 5:5-11

All false teaching comes from false knowledge, and all false knowledge comes from “The Woman in the Ephah.” Zech 5:7

Yeshua said: “Woe to you lawyers. For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.” Luke 11:52

This also is on account of the Woman who sits in the Ephah.
The “Lawyers” whom Yeshua reproves are the so called “experts” of the Law – it`s “interpreters” and “commentators.” These are the men who are the most influential to the construction and development of Torah theology.

“When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question testing Him, - “Which is the greatest commandment in the law?” Matt 22:34-35

The Gk word translated “lawyer” is – nomikos – see also Lk 7:30 Lk 10:25 Lk 11:45,46,52 Lk 14:3
The term specifically describes a man (men) considered “expert” in Jewish law (which is essentially Torah/Mosaic law. Such men are often, and more commonly called “Scribes.” (see Ezra 7:6,10)

Yeshua therefore says, “The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses` seat --” Matt 23:2 - He exposed them not for their teaching but for their hypocrisy; their externalism in religion – by which they manifested the same leaven as was at work on the Sadducees.
Lawyers and Scribes. - The “Seat” of Moses refers to the position of a “Teacher of the Law” to the Jews. To “teach” is to pass on “knowledge.” Knowledge of Torah is of itself neutral – it can be memorised from Torah. The “key to knowledge” is “understanding” - and understanding comes by two ways or means:
(a): by study and interpretation. (b): by insight of revelation.
Insight is greater than interpretation, yet insight is interpretation – insight is the key to unlocking the text of Torah.

It is the function of the “Lawyer/Scribe” to provide (furnish) those who teach the Jews with the right interpretation of the Scripture. Yeshua exposes them for failing to do so. They have proved inadequate to their appointed work of service, and are therefore unworthy of their title/office. The result of their failure is the impoverishment of the people in a right understanding of Scripture. The interpretations of the lawyer/scribe is faulty, falling short of the mark, and must therefore be viewed as corrupt.
Ezra the Scribe. - We see clearly the responsibility and requirement of the Scribe in the following scriptures:
Ezra 7:6 – Ezra was a “skilled” Scribe in the law of Moses.
Ezra 7:10-11 – Ezra had “prepared his heart” (devoted or consecrated) to “seek” the law of the Lord and to “do it.” to teach Torah statutes and ordinances to them. - Ezra the priest/Scribe was “expert” in the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of the statutes to Israel.
(i): He was “skilled”: - gifted, naturally equipped with abilities, talents, qualities, which fitted him to his work of service.

(ii): He “prepared his heart” - not just his mind – he sought not only to know the law as it was written on the stone tablets or within the Torah scrolls, but for the law to be inscribed upon his heart. To this end, he devoted himself in a whole hearted consecration to the work of service to which He was appointed. He set himself apart to the Lord from every other “work” or “pursuit” in order to be dedicated whole and entire to this work of service.
(iii): He determined to “do them” - not to know and understand only, but to “keep” the commandments of the Lord, to walk in obedience to them – to abide in their guidance and counsel. Thus, it became “wisdom” to him. Remember, it was on account of their hypocrisy and not their teaching that Yeshua rebuked the Pharisees.
Ezra the Scribe was a man considered qualified to make comment upon the law – to offer “commentary” which is “interpretation.”

Commentary and interpretation provide an understanding of knowledge. It requires dedication and research; it is the work of the “theologian” - one who seeks to “construct” a teaching or doctrine for widespread consideration.

This is as much applicable then to the Gentile Christian theologian as to the Jewish lawyer/scribe. Teachers teach doctrine, and the lawyers/scribes/theologians are the ones who devise, or construct them.
“Systems” of doctrine combine collective teachings dealing with a variety of subjects, issues, aspects of Torah truth considered most appropriate or faithful or necessary to a right or true understanding of knowledge.
By such “method” or “skill” men such as Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai constructed “Rabbinic Judaism” and delivered it to the Diaspora Jews after the demise of the cult of Temple Judaism, which had been the domain of the Sadducee/priest system until the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70 AD.

Ben Zakkai was a Pharisee, and a Lawyer/Scribe. He became the architect and founder of a new kind of Judaism which was tailored to meet the requirements and needs of Diaspora Jewish communities. This would eventually evolve into what we might call Talmudic Judaism – the Judaism of the Pharisees – and it is Pharisee Judaism which has held most sway over the generations of Jewish communities throughout the Diaspora to this very day.

The early evidence for the desire of the Pharisees to usurp the Sadducee/priests who regulated the prevailing Temple Judaism at the time of Yeshua is found in the opening salvo of Matt 22:34 - “When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.”

Lets look now at the prophetic vision disclosed to Zechariah – the vision of the Woman in the Ephah.

Zech 5:5-11
Zech 5:5-6 – Then the angel who talked with me came out and said to me; “Lift up your eyes now, and see what this is that goes forth.” So I asked “What is it?” And he said, “It is an ephah that is going forth.” And again he said, “This is their appearance in the land.”
(i): an ephah – is a Jewish measure, usually for grain. Some Rabbis suggest that the term for the measure is employed loosely and that it might as easily apply to a measure for oil or wine – i.e “a barrel” - but the word in the Hebrew text is “ephah” a term employed for dry measure (used only in relation to cereals)- and not “bath” a commonly used liquid measure (the exact equivalent of the dry measure “ephah”) - or “log” which appears only once in Lev 14:10 as a measure for oil.
As to the actual volume of the measure – the Hebrew ephah is properly a small portion, 1/10th of an homer - or .65 of a bushel - yet the “ephah” depicted in Zech 5:6 is large enough to conceal “a woman.” Whether we are going to allow for spiritual licence or insist on a literal application of the text, Lev 19:36 makes clear to us that the measure of the ephah is an exact measure and to be treated as such.

“Grain” is the symbol for the “words” of God – the “texts” of the Hebraic Scriptures. It is by “pure grain”, finely ground, that the Levitical Priests prepare the Most Holy food – (Lev 23:5-9) - the cakes/loaves of Shewbread, (lehem happanaim) [Lit. “bread of the face.” - an Hebraic term denoting God`s “favour” or “presence” thus by inevitable connection, “glory”) - which stand upon the Table of the Presence-Bread (Shewbread) before the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle/Temple of the Lord. (another name for the Shewbread is “lehem hamma reket” 1 Chr 9:32) meaning lit. “bread of ordering.” These are “ordered” “arranged” or “set forth in their place upon the Table of Shewbread in two rows of six – one loaf for each of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. And upon each row frankincense is placed “as a memorial” (le azkara) to be offered by “fire to the Lord.” Lev 24:7 – i.e. as a sweet smelling aroma (prayer of remembrance)
And the 2/10th of one ephah is the precise measure which is to be most diligently observed in measuring the amount of grain which is to be finely ground to make the basis for the Shewbread. (see Lev 24:5)
The Most Holy food is but a type of Yeshua who is the “True Bread” - “The Word became flesh” and tabernacled (“dwelt” or “made His dwelling”) amongst us.” It is this “flesh” we must “eat” - to partake of the Most Holy Promise of God, Holy Spirit, and thus inherit eternal life. (See Jn 1:14 - Jn 6:32-35 - Jn 6:47-58)
(ii): the ephah is “going forth.” - It has a place of origin: it is depicted as “going forth” - into the land. (The land being Israel) [ha-eretz]- this suggests “mission” and “purpose” - it goes forth for a reason, to accomplish the task for which it is “sent forth.”
(iii): This is “their appearance in the land.” - The ephah then, obviously signifies a collective group of “men” and their “appearance” in the land is as an “ephah.” - this is what they look like – or appear to be.

Zech 5:7 – “and behold! a lead cover was lifted up, and he said, “And this is a woman sitting inside the ephah.”
(i): the lead cover. - It is “heavy” - it is used to “seal” or “close” or “imprison” the woman within the ephah that she may not herself go forth into the land (she does not have free reign but is limited, confined) – but only as she is transported through the land within the traveling ephah. - (“lead” denotes a harmful substance – it is poisonous – Lead is not a pure metal, but an extract product usually from galena, (a mineral grey-ish in colour and the principle ore of lead.) – it is dense, thus weighty – it`s relative density being 11.35 – heavier than iron [one of the symbols for Rome] Dan 2:40 (with a rel. den 7.87) – and malleable (even ductile) – capable of being shaped or formed – or hammered into wire by thinning out) The point being that tho` lead is dense, it can also be surprisingly subtle.

In Tanakh scripture, it is to be “cleaned” by fire Num 31:22-23 – being in itself “impure.” It is employed metaphorically in the Song of Moses, (Ex 15:10) – to described the destruction of the Egyptian chariots at the Red Sea) and in Ezekiel's lament for Tyre, (Ezek 27:12) we see how lead was considered valuable for trade and commerce amongst the gentile nations.

(ii): the woman – signifying a type of Eve – an agent through whom deception enters the world by hearing the words of ha Satan – the adversary of God. (see Gen 3:1-7) – and consider soberly the determination of the apostle Paul in view of this testimony – 1 Tim 2:11-12 - “Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman, being quite deceived, fell into transgression.” - 1 Cor 14:34-35 - “Let the women keep silent in the churches for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.”
In Jewish thinking, the family is the important unit of community life. And within the family, the woman has a vital role and makes a valuable contribution. It is also a clear teaching of Judaism that discrimination of every kind, (including on the grounds of gender) is wrong and “prevents a person reaching his or her potential and serving God properly.” The portion to underline would be “serve God properly” - and to serve God properly, one must presumably serve God in a way or manner approved of God)

The apostle Paul taught nothing different to this, yet His teaching was not to synagogue Jews, but to Messianic believers. The modern day Christian believes him/herself true brethren of these early Messianic saints, and yet Paul's clear teaching on the role of women within the churches is one of - (if not the) – most unpopular ideas to be voiced within the “Christianity” of Western Europe and North America. Consequently, it has become an extremely rare and marginal teaching within the Church of the Third Millennium.
It is generally thought in the world that the emancipation of women is a good thing – and that the campaign for equality of status and eventually independence is both good and desirable. It is one thing that this should be the common mind of those who are influenced by the spirit which is in the world – but within the Churches, ought it not be different? - 1 Cor 2:12 - “Now we have received not the spirit which is in the world, but the Spirit who is from God that we might know the things freely given to us by God.” {see Deut 29:29, 2 Tim 3:16-17)
It is one thing for the Synagogue of ha Satan which calls itself the Church of England, to endorse the ordination of female priests – yet this is no precedent for the Evangelical Christian denominations to do likewise. If they do, they are deserving of the same judgment – since they do, they shall surely receive it.
So many women (men also) within the so called Churches simply dismiss Paul's teaching out of hand and show open contempt and scorn for the authority of an apostle of Yeshua. Others feel compelled to attempt to deal with the “unpopular” teaching – and to this end they voice their objections – all of them errant, and reflecting their natural foolishness rather than a wisdom born of a right understanding of Scripture. Usually, such objections run along such lines as - “The prohibition for women applied only in the O.T. era” Paul, however, is speaking in the N.T. era; They say “Paul is not speaking by the authority of God, but expression a personal idea.” The inference often being that Paul was a misogynist, which is too ridiculous to deserve response. It's true that on rare occasions Paul, not being fully confident that his thoughts have the seal of Holy Spirit authority, offers an opinion by way of counsel or advice – e.g. The question of “marriage” vs “remaining single.” - (see 1 Cor 7:10ff)
However, in 1 Cor 14, Paul is clearly speaking with all confidence in Holy Spirit authority – since he is declaring to the assembly at Corinth and to Timothy (his sub apostolic delegate to the churches) a “teaching” and apostolic determination already established in all of the churches under Paul's “covering” or “nurturing supervision” - an he is instructing Timothy to follow this teaching and apply it when he visits the various churches. Further to this, Paul cites the Law as his authority, and so such an argument is easily disqualified.

The significance of the “woman” in the “ephah” is simply this: that those who present themselves to Israel as her teachers of Torah are corrupted within their own hearts by the leaven of deception, and as such, they are depriving the people of the key to knowledge.

Zech 5:8 – Then he (the angel) said “This is wickedness.”- The woman who sits in the ephah is “wickedness.”
What is the meaning of this? First of all, she “sits” - she has a “seat” - as did the “Scribes of the Pharisees” in the day of Yeshua – She is as the spirit (influence) of interpretation – she not only determines the shortfall in the measure of the grain by her own presence within the ephah – but she also “interprets” the value of the grain (words of God) in whom she works as wicked leaven – (she gives it a “meaning” - since by her deception, she corrupts it.

The Heb word translated “wickedness” is rish`ah – the fem. Form of resha – meaning – “wrong” – especially in a “moral” sense – generally used to denote “iniquity” It is from the root rasha – meaning to “be” wrong – thus to “do” or “declare” what is “wrong.” By implication therefore “to trouble or cause to be disturbed” - i.e. So as to “lead astray.” (cause to depart from) – So the meaning of the name given by the angel to the woman in the ephah is simply this: “To be faulty so as to be and do wrong.” Wickedness is iniquity and iniquity is sin.

The Parable of the Hidden Leaven
The vision of the woman in the ephah as shown to Zechariah holds the same hidden truth which is disclosed in the Kingdom parable of Yeshua {Luke 13:21] - “To what shall I liken the Kingdom of God? It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three pecks (measures) of meal (grain) till it was all leavened.”

We see how the woman “hid” the leaven in the three pecks of grain. It was intended to be concealed – not on open view. And the fact that it is leaven is a bad thing since it denotes wickedness, pride, and corruption of every kind – whereas bread that is unleavened is shown to be honest, true and sincere. So, it cannot mean, as some have it, that the leaven causes the Kingdom to grow (in a positive sense) towards maturity and fullness. But to the contrary, it works to corrupt those who are within the Kingdom – i.e. the Jews.
In this spirit, Paul writes these words to the Messianic community in Corinth: - “Your glorying - (proud boasting and toleration of sin) - is not good Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (or “causes the whole batch of dough to rise?”) 1 Cor 5:6
Paul is saying, “Beware, lest your error works to corrupt the entire assembly” - (vs 7) - “Therefore purge out the old leaven (corrupted influence of the natural mind) - that you may be a new lump - (new creature created in Moshiach ha, influenced by the Mind of God through Holy Spirit) – since you truly are unleavened - (honest and sincere in your profession of faith) – For indeed, Moshiach ha our Pesach was sacrificed for us.” - (vs 8) – “Therefore, let us keep the feast not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (see also Gal 5:9, Gen 19:3)
In Ex 12:14-20 – Yahweh gives instructions to Israel through Moses for the keeping of the first feast of Passover/Pesach. It is a feast which Israel are to keep by “an everlasting ordinance throughout your generations.” wherein “For seven days, you shall eat unleavened bread.” And on the first day Israel shall remove the leaven from their house. This tradition is continued today by the Jews and called bedikat chametz - “the search for leaven” But please take note: this is what Israel must do as part of their “preparation” for the feast.

For Messianic believers is means the serious preparation of the heart before the Lord as we come to God by the repentance of faith. For us, Yeshua is our true Passover (Pesach) lamb, and by His death and by His blood, we have our deliverance from the world, the redemption from the power of sin, and the forgiveness of all our transgressions. For all of this, we Praise God form a heart of sincere gratitude for Yeshua.
What Paul clearly establishes to us from 1 Cor 5 is that the symbol of “leaven” in Berit Chadashah retains all it`s meaning carried over from Tanakh.
In the Parable of the Kingdom, Yeshua identifies “Three Pecks” or measures of grain in which the leaven is hid. These Three Pecks may be seen as:
(i): The leaven of the Sadducees:
The Sadducees were the oldest of the three major Jewish sects which held sway amongst the people in the time of Yeshua. Their emergence can be traced back to the Babylonian exile (586 BC) – and the desecration of the Temple which effectively suspended (for 70 years) the regular sacrifice and the service of ha cohanim (Levitical Priesthood)

The Sadduccean Priest/Scribes were the authors of the Babylonian Talmud – which to this day remains the chief subject studied in the Jewish yeshivot (Rabbinic academies) Although the Rabbinic code of Mishnah and Talmud are largely associated with the sect of the Pharisees, we see how Ezra, the architect of restoration Judaism in the restored Temple, was identified as both cohen and sofer – both Priest and Scribe.(see Ezra 7:10-11) – (see also Neh ch 8) But if Ezra's principle concern was Torah Law, the focus of the Sadducees was towards the Temple sacrifices, and despite the significance and influence of Ezra, the sect of the Pharisees would not emerge until the time of the Maccabees, when they were pioneered by the obscure and somewhat mystical cult of the “Hasidim” (“pious ones”) These also, were primarily concerned with Torah.

The leaven of the Sadducees is seen in it`s superiority of mind and boasting of caste or class. It's seen in their unhealthy skepticism of Nevi-im and Ketuvim They accepted only the Five Books of Moses for their doctrine of faith (See Matt 22:23,29) - It was seen in their corruption of the Law in which they professed faith – in the unjust measures of the temple Precincts, the loaded weights of the money changers, and the extortionate rates of those licensed by the temple to sell sacrificial animals. The Sadducees took a sizable percentage of such profits for their own purses. They colluded with the Herodians in the guarantee of Priestly succession (High Priest) claiming their authority as sons of Tzadok. meaning “Righteous” (Zadok) a descendant of Aaron (1 Chron 24:1-3) who remained loyal to David during Adonijah`s rebellion (1 Kng 1:8-27) and was rewarded by Solomon as Abiathar`s successor as High Priest - cohen gadol (1 Kng 2:35) (hence their Hebraic name “Tz`udikim”
Within one generation of Yeshua`s death (by their hands) the era of Sadducee's Judaism would be finished – (it`s demise was already being plotted by the popular and more numerous sect of the Pharisees. The Diaspora inflicted upon Jewish Israel by the Romans at their destruction of the Temple, effectively brought to an end the restored period of regular sacrifice and the Cult of Temple worship, as well as necessitating the transference of influence and leadership from the Priesthood” to the new “Rabbis” of the emergent Diaspora Judaism.

(ii): The leaven of the Pharisees. - As we said, the early origins of the Pharisees (P`rushim) dates back to the times of the Maccabees and Antiochus Epiphanes. They were from their beginnings a Torah focused sect – their name P`rushim. (meaning “separated ones”) At first they were viewed as a radical “holiness” sect. By this time, the peoples Judaism had become corrupted by political intrigue, a Hellenistic Priesthood and a love of mammon – Ha P`rushim separated themselves from “worldly ways” and “worldly people” They believed Tanakh to be God`s word. But they also believed that the ceremonies and traditions passed down through the centuries from the “ancient sages” who taught an Oral Torah – were also God`s word, and as such, treated them every bit as “holy” as the Written Torah) This formed the basis for their Rabbinic code, which they applied to every aspect of life.

The Pharisees agenda called for strict observance of the Mosaic Law (which already was becoming Rabbinic law) for the restoration of a Theocracy to Israel, and therefore, they opposed Rome and Roman occupation, administration and especially, it`s taxes. Their “politics” were less “active” than those of the Sadducees, Herodians and especially, the more radical sect of the Zealots.) They were in many ways kindred spirits of the Essene communities of the wilderness regions bordering the Dead Sea. (Qumran)

The Pharisees were least reconciled to the Herodians, whom they rightly saw as being overtly political and not at all religious. The design of the “testing” question, in which they readily recruited the assistance of the Herodians, concerning the “payment of taxes to Caesar” was to force Yeshua to alienate Himself from either the Pharisees or from the Herodians, who encouraged the acceptance of Roman taxes. By His insight and wisdom, Yeshua perceived their wickedness and avoided their trap. (see Matt 22:15-22) The “leaven of the Pharisees” was seen in the externalism of their religion, the excessively outward show of piety, and in their mean mindedness. Yeshua charges them greatly over their rejection of Yochannan the Baptiser. Both John and Yeshua denounced their “faith” as “hypocrisy,.” and their Rabbinic code as the “precepts of men.” (see Matt 23) They claim to be “separated ones” but in truth are not “separated from worldliness” at all) We see how in Acts 23:6 the apostle Paul (Sha`ul) declares to the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) “Brothers I myself am a Pharisee.” (Parush) - (he says “I am” not “I was”) It is worth bearing in mind then that Yeshua never rebuked the Pharisees for their “name” but their “dead works” Matt 22:2-3 - “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themsleves in the chair of Moses, therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say things and do not do them.”

(iii): The leaven of the Herodians. - We are least concerned with these, since their “leaven” is seen in their worldliness, an excessive love of sensuality and their pursuit of self indulgent pleasures. It is seen in their essentially political agenda for the Hasmonian Dynasty (kingly line of the Herod's) in the land of Israel. The Herodians are exposed as lovers of mammon. (see Matt 22:16-21, Mark 3:6)
Zech 5:8 – he (the angel) thrust her down into the ephah and threw the lead cover over it`s mouth.
Here we see the Sovereignty of God moving according to Mystery purpose. This thrusting down is done by a higher or superior hand or power – and it is an action performed with deliberate intent.
God “decrees” to the woman her place within the ephah – and then prevents her escape by sealing her there. To all intents and purposes she is imprisoned within the ephah. She can do no other than her nature dictates, which is corrupt the content of the grain measure. But why would God do such a thing?

We need to establish the close relation in which the preceding vision of the Flying Scroll stands to the vision of the Woman in the ephah, Look at Zech 5:1-4 – Zechariah sees a large Flying Scroll. The angel tells him this Scroll decrees a curse upon the face of the earth. The purpose of which is the exposure of all wickedness and falsehood. Why would God decree such a terrible thing? The reason is found in the Testimony of Yeshua in Matt 13. where in response to his disciples` question “Why do you speak to them (the Jews) in parables?” He answered them, “Because to you it has been given (granted) to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (granted)” Here is seen the Sovereignty and arbitrariness of God in election – and the disclosure of His mysteries to whom it pleases Him. Paul's insight into this “mystery” is laid out for us in Rom 9): and in (vs 14-18) he states: - “What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, (Ex 33:19) “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” “So then, it does is not depend upon on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh ” (Isa 10:22-23) - “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” “So then, He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”

We must understand that God is working to a Mystery Purpose within the earth. And He is working through an unfolding Providence which He set in motion from before the foundations of the earth. It is a predestined purpose dependent upon His will and not His foreknowledge. To kick against this truth is to corrupt the purity and simplicity of that “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3 for which we are exhorted to “earnestly contend.” - We may not “like it” but we must “believe it” It is seen in the granting of insight to some and not others - “To as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, -- who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13 – it is not the signed and sealed guarantee of son-ship which is immediately given to those who receive Him (or even believe in His name) but rather the “right” to “become” children of God. It is seen in the “partial hardening” which has come upon Israel (yet not all Israel) until “the fullness of the Gentiles” (melo ha goyim) has come in.” Rom 11:25 ( also Gen 48:19) – This is the mystery purpose of God which is being outworked in the end times, of which Paul does not want believers to be “uninformed” or in ignorance of.

The Mystery purpose of God requires the hardening” of some whether partial or everlasting – in order that it should come to completion; It is that common purpose to which all unenlightened men are working, even to the giving up of their kingdoms to the antichrist beast Rev 17:17 – and it is God Himself who has put this purpose into their hearts. This is very much in the same spirit as those who worked together with one common purpose to build the Tower of Babel on the plains of Shinar. Gen 11:1-9) What we all need to accept in all humility of heart as well as understand in the enlightenment of our minds, is that our Great and Almighty God and Father, Yahweh, has a purpose of end times Babylon as well as for end times Zion.
In the same way and same spirit in which God “raises up Pharaoh” in order that through his humbling and defeat by the fullness of the cycle of the 10 plagues, and the covering of the Red Sea, God should demonstrate the Glory of His Sovereignty, so too does God send forth the Flying Scroll of His decreed curse upon the face of the whole earth – that by the demonstration of His great and all surpassing mercy at it`s ultimate completion of the purpose for which it sent – all mankind might see the true nature and power of God as having been displayed and executed in perfect justness and perfect righteousness.

And so, it`s by the woman of wickedness in the ephah which “goes forth” in the wake of the Flying Scroll, that this “curse” is brought about upon the face of the whole earth. This “deception of wickedness” within the ephah, is in effect, one and the same with that “deluding influence” against which Paul warns believers in Thessaloníki which God sends upon those who “did not receive a love of the truth so as to be saved but who believed instead an antichrist spirit who works towards them with all the “deception” of “wickedness” - should all the more believe what is false.” in order that all may be judged who did not believe the truth but took pleasure in “wickedness.” 2 Thess 2:3-12 {Paraphrase mine)
When Yahweh says (Zech 5:8) - “He thrust her down into the ephah and threw the lead cover over it`s mouth.” we cannot help but be mindful of those scriptures which speak of the casting of ha Satan into the abyss (bottomless pit) and his sealing there. (Rev 11:7 + 17:8) – first comes the spirit of antichrist who “works until now” says John and Paul attributes to this antichrist spirit, which ha Satan - “the star from heaven who had fallen to the earth,” to whom is given “the key to the abyss.” (bottomless pit) Rev 9:1-3

This is the spirit of ha Satan which works effectually through the performing of false signs and wonders and the words of false prophets, in order to bring about the “end time apostasy” The time of his release is seen in close conjunction to the testimony of the Law and the Prophets – and the appearance of Moshiach ha – Rev 11:7 (since the angel sent by Yeshua to John on Patmos tells him, “the beast you saw, was and is not and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go to destruction.” Rev 17:8)
And when the spirit of antichrist has worked to his required end, then comes the personification of the spirit of antichrist who is first to be “revealed” (2 Thess 2:3) – and will ultimately be “consumed” by “the breath of His (Yeshua`s) mouth (Holy Spirit) [see John 20:22] – and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” (Shekinah of His glory)- (2 Thess 2:8) - His sealing is temporal until the appointed time of his “release from his prison” when he goes forth “to deceive the nations.” Rev 20:7-8

Likewise we see how this woman of wickedness within the ephah is sealed in her prison, until they have completed building her temple in Shinar (Babylon) and when it is completed she will take her placed in it`s midst upon her “pedestal.” (at “her revealing.”) - Zech 5:10-11

Consider those appointed to “carry the ephah” out of the land to it`s proper place. (Shinar) – Zech 5:9 - “There were two women coming with the wind in their wings, for they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven.”
(i): the two women with the wind in their wings: - These are her guardians, and heralds, (prophetic evangelists). In keeping with the corrupted nature of the woman within the ephah, and her influence or leaven of deception towards the grain, her guardian angels are depicted also as “women” - They are clearly meant to signify “angelic” beings or creatures – a wicked parallel or equivalent of the Cherubim perhaps who have a human appearance as well as two sets of wings. That they are meant to serve as “prophetic or evangelical heralds” is indicated to us by the appearance of the eagle, which flies in mid heaven between the proclamation of the 4th and 5th trumpets in Rev 8:13

These two “spiritual” creatures are the evangelical agents who spread her message abroad on the face of earth and they do so “swiftly” - with alacrity - with all the assistance and empowering of a “providential” wind.
Notice the “likeness” of their “wings” - “like the wings of a stork.”
The Stork is listed in the Levitical dietary prohibitions as an “abomination” to be considered “unclean” Lev 11:13,19) This in all probability is due to the fact that the Stork (like the Vulture) feeds on dead flesh in which remains the blood. And in this way transgresses the commandment to abstain from eating the flesh of any animal which retains it`s blood, since according to God`s requirements through the Noah-ide Covenant, “Only you shall not eat flesh which has it`s life, that is, it`s blood.” Gen 9:4 – and again as Lev 17:10-11 succinctly declares “the life of the flesh is in the blood.” And since it feeds on what is ”dead” (contact with dead flesh renders a person ritually unclean through contamination) [Lev 11:24-28] - the Stork, like the Vulture etc has the propensity to spread disease, and in this way bring the risk of plague to the people.

It is not that we are implying that God demands obedience to His commandments from animals, or the birds of the air – (tho` there is no “good” or “justifiable” reason why He should not) - but that these are the righteous laws is by which the wisdom of God is made known to those who observe them – and it is unthinkable therefore that an angel of the Lord should disclose to a prophet a vision and it`s mediation which does not embrace every jot and tittle of every last one these.
Finally, we need to return again to Zech 5:10-11 – and the prophets question to his angelic mediator: “Where are they taking the ephah?” The angel answers: “To build a temple for her in the land of Shinar, and when it is prepared, she will be set there on her own pedestal.”
That the woman who sits within the ephah is the antichrist spirit “which has gone out into the world, to give rise to many false anointed ones [1 John 2:18] - is now placed beyond all reasonable dispute. There are two many mirror images of the role and function of Holy Spirit in bringing about the appointed time of the revelation of the True Moshiach ha in the midst of the heavenly temple to permit argument. (see Rev 11:19, Rev 19:20, 2 Thess 2:3-4, Dan 7:8, 8:9-12, Isa 14:14, Ezek 28:2 etc)
At the appointed, time, when the spirit of lawlessness has worked effectually to the fullness of it`s given and permitted measure, the “Man of lawlessness” will be revealed who “exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God showing himself, that he is God.” [2 Thess 2:4]

There are three types of Temple signified in the Scriptures: The First is the copy of the True pattern, which is seen first in the Tabernacle of Moses and later in the Temple built by Solomon (and all subsequent versions of the earthly Temple are faithful to David`s design, which he in turn based upon the model of the Tabernacle.)

Then there is the True Pattern itself, which is Spiritual, having It's existence with God in the heavenly places. And thirdly, there is the figurative Temple of the body of believers (after the example of the body of Yeshua as that temple God would raise up within three days. This Temple is rightly viewed as the Corporate Body of Messiah, but is also applicable to the enlightened soul of the individual believer. And so, the question is; to which Temple does Paul refer in 2 Thess 2??? We attempt our answer in this way:

First, that the Man antichrist can not possibly seat himself in the true temple which is in heaven, which no one is permitted to enter until the 7 last plagues of the wrath of God (by the 7 bowls of the 7 angels) are poured out. [Rev 15:5] - (the ultimate judgment of the “end time Babylon” is included in these) Indeed, it is impossible for the Man of lawlessness to take his seat in this temple, since God Himself and His Lamb, are that most pure and holy temple, {Rev 21:22] - and the redeemed remnant of mankind are it`s Living Stones, which Holy Spirit has built and set each one in their appointed place [2 Cor 5:1, Heb 12:22-23] – and Moshiach ha Yeshua is the True Ark of the Covenant revealed in it`s midst. [Rev 11:19]
Secondly, the question of an earthly Temple: Many sincere believers (both Messianic and Christian) believe that in the Last days, the Jews will re-build a Temple in Jerusalem, and that it is in this Temple that the Man of Lawlessness (the personification of the spirit of antichrist) shall “take his sea,” having first, by means of “smooth words” and the corruption of wickedness through the temptation of mammon, seduced the many, including the Jews. We have heard (and can well believe) that there exist definite plans and blueprints by which to re-build such a Temple at an opportune time, and we do not rule out the possibility that it shall one day be built. But we think it unlikely that the Temple the apostle Paul has in mind can be a physical house.

Which brings us to be third consideration; the figurative temple of the Body of Believers. We believe that this is more faithful and in keeping with the operative theology of the apostle Paul, who everywhere emphasises the superiority of the Spiritual, heavenly and and eternal over what is merely the physical, earthly and thus temporal. We confidently suggest that it is the more probable that Paul speaks of the figurative temple (tabernacle) of the body of believers who profess faith in Moshiach ha The Temple is their own spiritually enlightened souls, of which the heart or inner most room is of a type become as a most holy (sacred) place. It is here we suggest in this temple that the personification of antichrist spirit shall “take his seat, exalting himself as God and being worshiped as tho` he were God.” 2 Thess 2:4
We do not for one moment suggest that it shall prove to be so for the true (sincere) believer, whose salvation is the outcome of his experiential sanctification (2 Thess 2:13) This is made the more certain to us by Rev 13:7-8 - “all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of the Life of the Lamb who has been slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.”

In conclusion, we say to our brothers and sisters within the Messianic Congregations and communities of the U.K., throughout Western Western Europe and the continent of North America, (and let us say it in the Spirit of our Lord Yeshua) What is vital to us all in these Last days, is that we all are drawing our spiritual nourishment from that Rich and cultivated Root of the Olive Tree into which we all have been grafted together, as the True Israel of God. It is vital that we are drawing our food and drink from this one source to the exclusion of every other source – that we are no longer making our bread from grain drawn from a faulty ephah – so that we are yet teaching as doctrines the precepts of men; and that our strengthening and purifying may prove fruitful to our many brothers and sisters of the families of the Whole House of Israel, who presently live by a faith or want of faith that is devoid of the Spirit and nature and power of Yeshua our true Moshiach.

We must take determined measures to purge from our minds the former leaven of the Babylon of Confusion, to which so many of us once belonged, Having “come out of her midst” there is no further need to be marred by her many plagues. Let us all prove all the more, be diligent, to make certain of our choosing by God as well as our calling. Let us seek excellence in our understanding and purity in all our teaching, as we grow the richer in every way the more we feed from our Hebraic Roots of the faith. In this way, may we all avoid the snares of those seductive doctrines of error into which some of our unsuspecting and unguarded brothers and sisters, have been led astray. We pray for their release by the grace and mercy of God, who is able, through the effectual working of Holy Spirit, to grant to each one, the revelation of His pure word of truth, resulting in true liberty.

Yeshua Himself has promised; “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jn 8:32 He Himself has prayed for us, that the Father should “Sanctify them (us) in Thy Truth. Thy word is truth.” Jn 17:17

We pray that you may find food and drink in this study – for we believe it is from Holy Spirit – and so we offer it to you for your encouragement and up building together in love, true unity, towards our mutual maturity in the faith which is rooted and grounded in Moshiach ha Yeshua.

May the True Grace and Shalom of Yeshua our Lord be with each one of you and also with us. Until the next time. Shalom! -
Eli-Yahu