Definition: And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye [be] a great multitude, and [there are] with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 13:8. It’s a really interesting and slightly unsettling passage about the Israelites' relationship with God. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes a moment of intense pride and rebellion by the Israelites, and God’s reaction to it. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD…” – This is saying that the Israelites are trying to resist God's rule and his plan for them. They're thinking they can “stand against” something powerful - the Kingdom of God. “…in the hand of the sons of David…” – This refers to King David, a hugely important figure in Jewish history. He’s being called upon to lead and protect the Israelites. “And [be] a great multitude…” – This emphasizes the sheer size of the rebellion. They're talking about a massive group of people. “…and [there are] with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.” – This is the most shocking part. Jeroboam, David’s son, had a plan to create a special religious system (the Temple) and worship two gods – a calf and a human god. He essentially created the “golden calves” - a symbolic representation of these two false deities. Putting it all together: The verse is saying that the Israelites were so proud and rebellious that they were attempting to defy God's authority, and they were creating a system of worship based on false gods – specifically, a calf and a human god. It’s a powerful reminder of their pride and a warning about the dangers of challenging divine will. Overall Meaning: The verse speaks to the Israelites’ history of rebellion against God and their misguided attempt to create a separate, dominant religious system. It highlights a critical point in their relationship – they were attempting to usurp God's power and become independent of him. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a warning about the dangers of pride and idolatry (worshiping anything other than God). It’s a significant moment in biblical history, showing how quickly things can go wrong when people prioritize their own desires over obedience to God's guidance. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Give you some historical context about this time period? Discuss what this verse might be teaching us about faith and obedience?