Definition: And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 9:18. It's a really powerful and important passage about God’s judgment and a call for repentance. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: This verse comes after God has just delivered a series of laws and instructions to the Israelites, particularly concerning how they should treat their neighbors. God is feeling deeply frustrated with them because they've been acting very badly – perhaps stealing, lying, or being disrespectful. He’s essentially saying, “I’m not happy with this behavior.” Let’s unpack it word by word: “And I fell down before the LORD…” : This means God is acknowledging his own weakness and vulnerability. He's admitting that he's fallen short of his perfect standards. “…as at the first, forty days and forty nights…” : This is a very long time – 40 days and 40 nights. It signifies a period of intense suffering and distress. Think of it like a deep, prolonged crisis. “I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD…” : This is the core of the verse. God is saying: “You’ve been making terrible choices – you've been acting dishonestly, being cruel to others, and defying my will. Your actions have angered me.” “Wicked” here means morally wrong or unrighteous. "...to provoke him to anger." : This is the most important part. God is saying that his anger is triggered because of these specific behaviors. He's feeling a strong, righteous indignation at their wickedness. Overall Meaning – What it’s telling us: This verse isn't just about complaining. It's a warning and a call to action. It’s essentially saying: “You have gone too far. You need to change your ways, repent of your sins, and show me that you are willing to obey God’s laws.” It emphasizes the importance of humility and turning away from wickedness. Why is this important? This story is a foundational part of the Old Testament, representing a significant moment in history where God confronted humanity's rebellion against him. It’s often seen as a foreshadowing of Israel’s ultimate downfall – their disobedience led to exile and ultimately, their destruction. In short: God is very angry with the Israelites because they've been acting dishonestly and defying his will. He's demanding a change in behavior and asking for repentance. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you another Bible verse? Talk about its significance in the context of Israel’s history?