Isaiah 17:13 talks about people fleeing like a "rolling thing" before the wind. This is a perfect description of the resurrection plant, a native to the Holy Lands. It is about 6 inches tall. When the soil dries out, the roots dry up and it completely drops it flowers and foliage. The remaining stems roll about with the wind, much like the tumbleweeds of the American west.

Cultivation The resurrection plant is a desert dweller. This plant may be hard to find but is worthwhile if you are fortunate enough to locate some seeds. It will act as an annual in short-growing seasons.. It needs a long growing season followed by drought conditions to act as a "rolling thing". The dried up plant is sometimes sold as a curiosity item in garden centers. It will unfold and develop fern-like leaves when moistened.

Bible References

Isaiah 17:13: The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

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