Definition: And he went and found his carcase cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcase: the lion had not eaten the carcase, nor torn the ass.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 13:28. It's a really important passage about how God wants to ensure fairness and justice in his kingdom – which is essentially like a community or nation. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: A Thief/Abuser: The verse describes a situation where someone has been stealing food from the people – specifically, they've been taking the property of others and hoarding it. The Carcase is Found: God sends a royal guard (a representative) to investigate this situation. They find a dead animal carcass – like a cow or a lion – lying in a place where it’s been disturbed. The Animals are Staged: The guard then notices that the lion and ass (two kinds of animals) are standing near the carcass, but not eating it. They're simply observing it. What This Means – It’s About Fairness & God’s Justice: This is a powerful illustration of God’s plan for his kingdom. Here’s what it says: God’s Justice: God wants to make sure that those who are responsible for taking and hoarding things don't get to benefit from their actions. It's about fairness. No Exploitation: The idea is that the thief or abuser shouldn’t be allowed to keep all the good things they’ve taken. It’s a way of saying, "Don’t take more than you need." God's Control: The verse implies that God has the power to redistribute this wealth and ensure it’s used for the benefit of everyone. In short, it’s a symbolic representation of God’s desire for a just and equitable distribution of resources within his community. Important Note: This is a complex passage from an ancient text. It's often interpreted as a warning against greed and corruption. It highlights that God values honesty, responsibility, and the well-being of all his people. --- Would you like me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Talk about the symbolism behind it?