Definition: When thou shalt beget children, and children’s children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt [yourselves], and make a graven image, [or] the likeness of any [thing], and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 4:25. It’s a really important part of understanding how God wants us to live as a community – and as individuals – within his plan for Israel. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that if we become too focused on building things to God (like idols or images), and start acting badly, it will seriously upset him. It’s a warning about pride and focusing on things that aren’t truly important to God. Let's unpack the parts: “When thou shalt beget children, and children’s children…” – This refers to all of us – every single person in Israel. It’s saying we are part of a family, a group, and that our lives have a connection to each other. "...and shall corrupt [yourselves]..." - “Corrupt” means to go wrong, to be bad, to make mistakes. It's about becoming selfish, dishonest, or acting in ways that aren’t aligned with God's will. "...and make a graven image, [or] the likeness of any [thing]..." – This is the scary part! “Graven image” means creating an idol – something made by humans, something that looks like a god or a person. It’s about worshipping things instead of God. “The likeness” means imitating God's ways to a point where we become like him and are not pleasing to Him. "...and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God..." – This is what happens when we try to worship something other than God. It’s deliberately acting in a way that displeases or offends Him. "...to provoke him to anger:" - God is powerful and just. He doesn't like it when his people are defiant, selfish, or act against his will. He wants us to be obedient and follow his instructions. When we go astray, he becomes angry – which affects everything. What’s the point of this verse? It’s a serious warning about the dangers of pride (being too focused on ourselves) and seeking things that aren't God’s. It's telling us to: Stay focused on Him: Don’t get so caught up in building things or creating idols that we forget about worshipping and obeying God. Live righteously: Always follow God's laws, principles, and commands. Be humble: Recognize that you are part of a larger community – God’s community – and that you need to be pleasing to Him. In short, Deuteronomy 4:25 is a reminder that true devotion comes from worshipping and obeying God, not building things or imitating people. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts in more detail? Give an example of how this verse applies to our lives today?