What does this scripture refer to?

Question

"...even now the ax is being laid to root of the trees...
Duh...I must be stupid. What in the world is John the Baptist talking about here? And why would it be considered an 'exhortation'?

Isn't there an OT law that forbids chopping trees down by the roots?

And werent the Romans doing just that, to construct siegeworks?

Answer 1

Israel is on its own so it better get wise. That's the kind of thing you say when you're exorting someone.

Answer 2

(Matthew 3:10) . . .Already the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree, then, that does not produce fine fruit is to be cut down and thrown into the fire.

If you read Mathew 3:7-12 you will understand that John was talking about the religious leaders of his day, but remember that all things foreshadow things to come. The religious leaders of our day were prefigured by the ones here described.
To understand then that people recognize honest hearted leaders and people by the fruits they produce in a spiritual way. That those persons that truly are seeking God's Kingdom make honest efforts to do so, and your creator See's and knows this and rewards like wise. If you are a talker but not a doer then your fruit is worthless and you will be destroyed. If you are honest and truly search and make efforts to repent and search for the truth, you will find it and survive.

Answer 3

The verse previous to the one you refer to is the key to it. The Pharisees were saying, "Well, we have Abraham as our father." And that was pretty much of an excuse to any kind of a lifestyle they wanted to live. "Well, I have Abraham as my father, I am under the covenant, and I can live however I please."

But John said in essence, "Hey, don't try and pass off that we have Abraham as our father bit, because God is able to raise up from stones children for Abraham." And so he is calling for a true repentance, a changed life, and changed actions.

And now for the verse you refered to:

And now also the ax will be laid unto the root of the trees: and every tree which does not bring forth good fruit will be caught down (Luk 3:9),

John is calling for fruit that show repentance. Let's see the fruit of it, because every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit will be cut down "and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?" (Luk 3:9-10)

"He answered and said unto them, If you have two coats, give one of those to someone who doesn't have any; and if you have extra meat, do the same thing [share your abundance with the needy]. And then the tax collectors came to be baptized, and they said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you." (Luk 3:11-13).

It was an exhortation to action.

Answer 4

Several others have already commented about John the Baptist's words here so I won't add to that.

As for exhortation, John was only delivering God's message of repentance. He didn't force them to repent but he told them what would happen if they didn't.

Now as to the comments in your other question, about the trees: yes, God did prohibit Israel from cutting down FRUIT trees, per Deuteronomy 20:19-20, but He did permit Israel to cut down trees known to be non-food trees for earthworks, siege, etc.

Finally, don't be afraid to post your questions on this forum. We would like to be of assistance to you in your search for the Truth!

Answer 5

I believe it referred to the priesthood of Judaism, which had become corrupt. They were the trees that would be cut down by Jesus' sacrifice ending the old covenant.

Answer 6

Israel will die-

It did.