Definition: And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORDâS people.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 23:16. It’s a really important passage about how God’s relationship with his people changed. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse speaks about a new covenant – a special agreement – between God and Israel. It's saying that God is now actively involved in their lives, not just as a distant judge, but as partners in their destiny. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And Jehoiada…” : This refers to King Jehoiada, who was the leader of Israel during a time of great division and conflict. “…made a covenant…” : A covenant is like an agreement – a promise or bond between two people. It’s a formal agreement with specific terms. “…between him, and between all the people…” : This means it wasn't just about King Jehoiada; it was about everyone in Israel. Everyone – from the royal family to farmers, merchants, and laborers. It was a unified agreement for the entire nation. "...and between the king, that they should be the LORD’S people.” : This is the core of the verse. “The LORD’s people” refers to Israel . God was promising that Israel would become a devoted follower and community centered around him. It means they would recognize and worship God as the ultimate authority in their lives – not just as a king, but as the source of all goodness and truth. In short: King Jehoiada made a promise to God that Israel would be fully committed to following and worshipping Him . It was a turning point where God started to actively participate in their lives and destiny. What's it about? This verse is significant because it represents a shift from a more distant, legalistic relationship with God to one of a close, personal partnership. It’s a declaration that God wants a whole nation to be devoted to him. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Give you some historical context about this time in Israel's history? Discuss what this verse might mean for modern-day faith?