Definition: And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are] in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a really important passage about God’s concern for his people. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, God is feeling worried and sad because of the suffering of his people. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD said…” : This tells us that God is speaking directly to us – it's a message from him. “…I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are]…” : "Affliction" means trouble, hardship, or suffering. “My people” refers to the Israelites (the Jewish people) who were living in Egypt at that time. God is saying he has seen their problems. “…and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters” : This is where it gets a little tricky. "Taskmasters" means people who help people, like priests or kings. God was saying he’s heard the cries of the Israelites – the pain and struggles they were experiencing because they were being ruled by Egypt's people (the Pharaoh and his officials). “…for I know their sorrows.” : This is the core of it. God recognizes that the Israelites are suffering, and he understands why they’re suffering. He knows they’re going through a difficult time. The overall message: God is deeply concerned about his people and realizes that they're facing hardship because of the actions of others. He feels empathy for them and wants to help. It's a moment where God starts to recognize his responsibility towards his people. Why is this important? This verse is often considered one of the earliest examples of God’s concern for humanity. It shows that God doesn't just care about us in a distant way; He actively wants to be involved and help those who are struggling. It’s a foundation for many of the stories and events that follow in the Bible! --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage (like why it was written)? Talk about what this verse might mean for us today?