Definition: Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 19:10. It's a really important and sobering message from God about the future. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is telling Hezekiah – the King of Judah – to be very careful about how he speaks to him. He’s warning him that if he distorts or lies to Hezekiah, he will be misled and potentially cause terrible harm. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Thus shall ye speak…” : This is a command from God. It means he needs to communicate truthfully and honestly. “…to Hezekiah king of Judah…” : This is who the message is directed at – specifically, King Hezekiah in the region of Judah. “…saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee…” : This is the core warning. It means: "Don’t lie to yourself about your God." It's saying that if you rely on your own understanding or feelings about God, instead of listening to His guidance, you might be wrong and even cause harm. “…saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.” : This is the what – what the King of Judah needs to do. Hezekiah needs to not lie to himself about God’s plan for Jerusalem. Hezekiah needs to believe that God will protect and save Jerusalem, even when things are difficult. What does this mean in a broader sense? This verse speaks to the dangers of pride and self-reliance. It's a reminder that we should always trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear or challenging. It encourages humility – recognizing that we don't have all the answers and need to rely on God's guidance. Why is this important? Historically, this verse was part of a larger prophecy about the downfall of Judah under King Hezekiah. It’s a warning against being overly confident in one's own judgment and understanding, and reminding us to always seek God's wisdom. In short: Don't lie to yourself about God – trust in His guidance and plan! --- Do you want me to: Explain it further with an example? Discuss the context of this verse within the larger story of the Old Testament?