Definition: Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Deuteronomy 31:28. It’s a really significant and powerful verse that speaks about the future of leadership and the importance of speaking truth. Here's a simplified explanation: Essentially, it means: “Prepare a group of leaders and officials – all the important people in your community or nation – and let them hear what I have to say. I want to tell them about God’s plan for the future, and I want them to be aware that everything is ultimately under His control.” Let's unpack it further: “Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes…” : This refers to a group of respected and experienced leaders – perhaps elders in a community, or individuals who have proven themselves trustworthy. “Tribes” in this context likely refers to divisions within a larger group. “…and your officers…” : This includes those who are appointed to lead and manage things – like military commanders, judges, or other officials. "...that I may speak these words in their ears..." : This is the key part. It’s about communication . The speaker (God) wants to share important messages with these leaders. "...and call heaven and earth to record against them." : This is a metaphorical phrase, but it means: “Let all of creation – including everything we see, hear, and experience – record my words.” “Heaven” refers to God himself and the divine realm. "Earth" represents the world and everything that exists. “Record” means to document or preserve something. So, what’s the big idea? This verse is a promise of future leadership. God wants to use these leaders – especially those who are respected and wise – to: Tell the people about His will: God has a plan for the world, and this verse suggests that God wants to share it with his people. Establish a system of accountability: The verse implies that God is establishing a way for everything to be judged by Him, and that those in power must live in accordance with His principles. In short, it's a call for wise and trustworthy leaders to be aware of God’s plan and to fulfill their duties with integrity. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Give you some examples of what these “elders” might do?