Susan LaffertyJesus knows roots.
Fig tree. On the road to Jerusalem. Cursed by Jesus for its fruitlessness. “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”
Not even fig-bearing season, the disciples note. But they’re listening.
And we are too. Wondering. Pondering.
Exiles in Babylon.
God’s Word to them felt deeply personal to us. During a particularly violent and unsettling season.
People were leaving our city. Families sent back to their home countries. Anti-American sentiment had ramped up more than ever.
Should we leave?
At one point my dad—who never, ever tried to interfere or direct us in any way—wrote “In my daily Bible study I keep seeing the words, ‘Flee Babylon…flee Babylon.” (Jeremiah 49:30; 50:8,16; 51:6)
False prophecy. False claims.
Rampant in Old Testament days. And today.
Hananiah uses the lingo of a true prophet. Sounding official.
“This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel says…. This is the Lord’s declaration…. This is what the Lord says…” (Jeremiah 28:2,4,11).
But he’s using the Lord’s name in vain.
