Definition: And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all [them] that hate thee.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 7:15. It’s a really important and somewhat surprising passage about God’s protection and judgment. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse says God is going to eliminate all the negative things that harm people – specifically, the diseases and hardships they experience – only when those people truly hate God. It’s a powerful statement about God’s sovereignty and His desire to protect us from suffering. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Deuteronomy 7…” : This refers to a specific set of laws given to Moses as part of the covenant (a promise) between God and Israel. It's a law about how to treat people. “…and the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt…” : This is the core of the verse. “Sickness” here refers to any illness – physical, emotional, or mental. God wants to remove these illnesses completely. The phrase "evil diseases of Egypt" is a bit figurative; it means that the suffering and hardship caused by those who hate God are specifically targeting people. “…which thou knowest, which thou knowest…” : This is crucial! It emphasizes that God knows exactly what’s causing these problems. He's not just looking at the general world; He’s focused on the specific actions and attitudes of those who hate him. What does it mean in practical terms? It suggests that: God is a protector: God actively works to shield people from harm, even when they aren’t aware of it. Hatred matters: The verse highlights that God's protection isn't just based on good intentions or kindness; it's based on resentment – the feeling of anger and bitterness towards someone. If people truly hate God, then God will actively punish them for their negativity. Why is this a significant passage? It’s a reminder that: God’s judgment isn’t always about direct violence: Sometimes, it’s about the cause of suffering – the hatred and malice that fuels it. We must be mindful of our thoughts and actions: It encourages us to think carefully about how we treat others, as our words and intentions can have a significant impact on the world around us. In short, Deuteronomy 7:15 is a powerful message about God's unwavering protection and judgment against those who deliberately cause suffering. --- Do you want me to: Explain it further in more detail? Compare it to another Bible verse? Discuss its historical context?