Definition: For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 20:40. It's a really important passage about God’s relationship with His people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is saying: “I am setting up a special place for Israel – our nation – and I want to be involved in everything they do within the land.” Let's unpack that a little further: "In my holy mountain, in the mountain of Israel..." : This refers to the location of God’s dwelling place – Mount Zion, which is considered the most sacred place on earth. It’s where he resides and is powerful. "... saith the Lord GOD..." : This means it's a direct message from God himself. "...there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land..." : This is the key part. It means every single person within the entire country of Israel – from every city and village to the furthest corners – will be subject to God’s rule and involvement. It's not just a few people; it’s everyone . "...serve me..." : This is what God wants. He wants us to follow his commands and laws. It's about obedience and respecting him. "...there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things." : This is a specific way God wants to involve us in His plan. “Accept them” : This means he wants to be involved in our lives and decisions. He wants to guide us and protect us. “Your offerings...” : This refers to the regular donations we make – like tithes or sacrifices – that are given to God. "Firstfruits of your oblations..." : This means specific things we give to God, like prayers, worship, and dedication, will be valued and used by him. In a nutshell: God is establishing a place where he wants to be intimately involved in the lives of all Israelites, and he wants to receive our contributions (offerings) as a sign of his power and blessing. It’s a very significant statement about God's authority and relationship with His people. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a reminder of God's absolute control and judgment. However, it also speaks to the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's law. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Compare it to other verses about God’s relationship with Israel? Discuss the context of this passage within biblical history?