Definition: And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a pretty complex passage, so we'll go through it step-by-step. Here’s what it means in simple terms: This verse is talking about a future conflict between Israel (the nation of Judah) and a powerful neighboring kingdom – the "South." It describes a situation where God intends to trigger this conflict, using a significant and aggressive move by his agent. Here's a breakdown: “And he shall stir up his power…” - This suggests that God is actively preparing for something big to happen. He’s not just passively waiting; he's putting effort into making it inevitable. “…and his courage against the king of the south with a great army.” – The King of the South, who we don’t know the name of yet, will be provoked and attacked by God’s power. This is a significant military action. “And the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army…” – This is the core of the verse. The King of the South will respond. He'll mobilize his forces, and they will be incredibly large and powerful. This is presented as an inevitable response. “But he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.” – This is the crucial part. God is saying that the King of the South won’t successfully defend himself. He's predicting a series of plans or strategies that will be used against him. It suggests a deliberate and calculated attack, not just a random fight. Overall Interpretation: This verse paints a picture of a future time when God will deliberately set up a situation where the King of the South is challenged and likely to lose. It’s a warning about being prepared for opposition and a sign that God intends to protect His people. It's often interpreted as a prophecy of judgment and a call to vigilance. Important Note: This is from an Old Testament prophecy, so it’s not necessarily a literal prediction of a specific event in the future. It speaks more about God’s strategic planning and potential for conflict. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these terms in more detail? (e.g., “stir up” – what does that mean?) Discuss the symbolism behind this verse? Give a little context about the history of this prophecy?