Definition: Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 18:29. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic statement about God's power and control over creation. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is completely in charge of everything, and He won’t let anyone – even Hezekiah (a powerful king) – escape His grasp. It’s a warning about being too proud or trying to defy God's will. Let's break it down word by word: “Thus saith the king” : This is just King Hezekiah speaking. “Let not Hezekiah deceive you” : This is the key part. The king isn’t saying he will deceive Hezekiah. Instead, he's warning him that Hezekiah will be unable to escape God’s control. “for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand” : This is the core of the message. "Deliver you out of His hand" means Hezekiah cannot escape God’s power or influence. He can't get away from God’s plan, even if he tries. What does this mean in a broader sense? This verse speaks to several important ideas: God's Sovereignty: It highlights that God is the ultimate ruler of all creation. He doesn’t just allow things to happen; He actively controls them. Divine Protection: It suggests that God protects His people and places His power over everything, even those who try to resist him. Humility: It’s a reminder that we should always be humble before God and recognize that we are not in control of our own lives. Context is Important: This verse comes from a time when Hezekiah was trying to defy God by building a massive altar to himself in the Temple. The king is warning him about the consequences of his defiance, emphasizing that God’s will is absolute. --- Do you want me to explain anything more specifically? For example, would you like me to: Explain the historical context of this verse? Connect it to other biblical stories? Discuss what it might mean in terms of our relationship with God?