Definition: For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to inquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 14:7. It's a pretty serious passage about God’s relationship with His people and those who stray from Him. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: God is actively watching over His chosen people – Israel – and anyone who chooses to turn away from him and build idols in their hearts. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel…” : This refers to all Israelites (and those who are traveling or living among them) and anyone who chooses to live apart from God. It’s a broad category. “…which separateth herself from me, and setteth up her idols in her heart…” : This is the key part. It means people are actively choosing to distance themselves from God through idolatry – building false gods or focusing on things that aren't true worship. They’re creating a focus on something else instead of Him. “…and putteth the stumblingblock of her iniquity before his face…” : This describes what they are doing – they are breaking God’s laws and ignoring His guidance. They are acting like they are defying him, making mistakes, and not following His instructions. It's a sign of wrongdoing. “…and cometh to a prophet to inquire of him concerning me:” : This is where it gets really significant. God is calling out to them – those who are straying – to come to Him directly. What does this mean practically? It’s a warning from God! It means that if you're not truly following His will, if you're choosing to build something separate from him, and are actively seeking to disobey His commands, He is watching over you and is calling you to turn back. He's offering a chance for repentance and restoration. In essence, the verse is saying: God wants to know about your relationship with Him. If you’re not truly loving and obeying Him, He will be aware of it. Important Note: This verse speaks to a time in Israel's history when they were struggling with idolatry. It's a reminder that true faith involves a commitment to following God’s laws and principles. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or example?