Definition: For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Deuteronomy 7:4. It’s a really important verse about obedience and God’s judgment. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us that if people don't follow God and obey his rules, God will become very angry with them and unleash a terrible punishment on them. It’s a warning about disobedience. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “For they will turn away thy son from following me…” This means people are choosing to disobey God's instructions or principles. They’re straying off the path he’s laid out for them. “…that they may serve other gods:” This is the core of the warning. It suggests that these people are starting to worship something other than God – idols, false deities, or other things. They're prioritizing something else over following God's will. “So will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you…” This is a very strong statement. The Lord (God) is getting angry! He’s feeling hurt and disappointed with these people. “…and destroy thee suddenly:” This means that this punishment won't come slowly or gradually. It will happen quickly, unexpectedly, and severely. It’s like a sudden, dramatic event. What does this mean practically? Historically, this verse was often interpreted as a warning about the dangers of idolatry – worshipping anything other than God. It speaks to the importance of staying true to God's commandments and avoiding temptation by idols. Important Note: It’s important to understand that this verse isn’t meant to be taken literally in every situation. It’s a message about the potential for disobedience, not necessarily a guarantee of immediate destruction. It's a reminder to stay on the righteous path! In short, Deuteronomy 7:4 is a serious warning about the consequences of disobeying God and choosing to worship something else than him. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Talk about how this verse relates to other parts of the Bible (like the story of Noah)?