11–12 The first vision. The vision of the branch of an almond tree is slender in substance, but significant in meaning. What the prophet sees is simply a branch of an almond tree; presumably the branch was a living limb on a flourishing tree. The prophet is asked what it is that he sees; after responding, he is given a divine word that is at first rather perplexing: “I am watching my word, to carry it out.” In the interpretation of the vision and the accompanying oracle, it is necessary first