Definition: Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 9:5. It's a pretty serious statement about God’s judgment. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where God is deliberately punishing nations for their wickedness. He’s not just arbitrarily punishing them; he’s actively driving them out of the land, and it’s because of their bad behavior. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart…” – This is a key part. God isn't punishing people out of some kind of moral judgment. He’s doing this because they deserve it. It’s about His justice and his will. “…doth drive them out from before thee…” – This means God is actively removing nations from the land. He’s taking them away, not just letting them go peacefully. "...and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” - This is where it gets really important. The verse refers to a covenant (a promise) God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – these are the founders of the Jewish people. The "word which the LORD sware" means a promise given to them. God swore that He would protect and bless these people. This verse says that God is fulfilling this promise by removing the wicked nations. In simpler terms: God isn't being angry with people; he’s punishing them because they’ve been bad and deserve it. He’s using this punishment to show His justice and protect those who are blessed under his covenant. It’s a way of saying, "You need to change your ways, or you will face consequences." What does this mean for us today? This verse can be interpreted as a call to: Be faithful: It encourages us to remain true to our commitments and promises. Stand up for what’s right: It suggests that we must resist evil and protect those who are vulnerable. Remember God's word: It reminds us that God has a plan and will hold people accountable for their actions. Important Note: This is a complex passage with some very old language, so it’s important to remember that it was written in a specific historical context and that its meaning can be interpreted differently over time. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Connect it to a specific story or event in the Bible? Discuss its significance in the history of Judaism?