Definition: I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Exodus 23:27. It’s a really powerful and unsettling verse, and it speaks about God’s plan for humanity in the future. Here's a simplified explanation: What it means in plain terms: God is saying that before people come to worship him, he will deliberately make them uncomfortable and hostile. He’ll create a situation where they feel afraid and desperate, which will ultimately lead to their rejection of God. Let’s unpack the parts: “I will send my fear before thee…” – This is a key phrase. It means that God isn't just allowing people to be fearful; he's actively creating it. He's making fear a tangible, present experience for them. “…and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come…” – This is the core of the verse’s warning. God intends to make people unpleasant and unwelcome . He'll actively push people away from him. “Thou” means "you" – it’s addressing humanity directly. “…and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.” – This is the kicker. God doesn't just want to be disliked; he wants to force people to turn away from him and worship someone else. He anticipates that people will seek out a different god, or simply ignore him completely. What’s it trying to convey? This verse is often interpreted as a warning about the potential for humanity to become self-destructive. It suggests that: Humanity has a tendency to be hostile: God sees people as inherently dangerous and wants to protect himself. Our choices can lead to our own downfall: By being fearful, angry, or driven by selfish desires, we're setting ourselves up to reject the good and benevolent presence of God. Important Note: It’s a complex passage that has been debated for centuries. Different interpretations exist about the precise nature of this “destruction.” Some believe it’s a prophecy of judgment, while others see it as a warning about our own potential for harm. In short, the verse is a dramatic statement about God's intent to make humanity uncomfortable and ultimately push them away from him. --- Would you like me to: Explain any particular part in more detail? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Provide different interpretations of the verse?