Definition: Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices [by the space of] forty years in the wilderness?

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Acts 7:42. It’s a really interesting and somewhat surprising passage! Here’s a simple explanation: Basically, it means God is saying that Israel had been offering sacrifices to him for a long time – almost forty years – and then He decided to give them something different : “Then God turned…” : This suggests a shift in God's plan or perspective. "...and gave them up to worship the host of heaven” : God is saying that instead of focusing on sacrifices, He wants Israel to turn their attention and hearts towards Him. “The host of heaven” is a symbolic way of saying He’s inviting them to look at Him as the ultimate center of their faith. “As it is written in the book of the prophets…” : This is crucial. The Bible says this happened because the prophets (older religious leaders) had been warning Israel about the dangers of focusing solely on sacrifices. They were saying that if they kept worshipping only God, they would be lost. “O ye house of Israel…” : This addresses the Israelites directly. So, what's happening? God is saying that after a long period of focusing on sacrifices and rituals, He’s now inviting them to turn their attention completely to Him. He wants them to recognize that their relationship with Him is the most important thing – not just about the rituals, but about a personal connection with the divine. Why is this significant? This verse highlights a shift in God's plan and shows us that He’s not always about doing things for us, but about leading us to Himself. It’s a reminder that true worship isn’t just about obedience to rules; it’s about a deep, personal relationship with the one who is supreme. In short: God is inviting Israel to refocus their entire devotion on Him, recognizing that He is the ultimate source of everything. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain what "hosts of heaven" means? Discuss the context of the prophecy and why it's important?