Definition: Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Ezekiel 36:6. It's a really interesting and complex verse, and it deals with a significant shift in God’s plan for Israel. Here's a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: This verse is about God’s feelings after seeing the Israelites have been suffering under the weight of the surrounding nations. He’s feeling extremely angry and disappointed. Let’s unpack it word by word: “Ezekiel 36:6 Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel…” – This tells us this is a prophecy (a prediction) from Ezekiel, who was a prophet in ancient Jerusalem. It's about something that affects the entire nation of Israel. “…and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys…” - God is telling someone (likely Ezekiel) to speak specifically about the landscape – the mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys – of Israel. He’s focusing on a particular area. “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury…” - This is where it gets serious. God is declaring that he (God) is feeling incredibly frustrated and angry. "Jealousy" and "fury" suggest a deep sense of resentment. “…because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:” – This is the crucial part. God is saying that the Israelites have been suffering because they’ve been treated unfairly by other countries (the “heathen”). “Bearing the shame” means being humiliated, criticized, or facing negative treatment. Putting it all together – a simpler understanding: God feels deeply hurt and angry that his people have been repeatedly treated poorly by others. He's expressing this feeling because he sees their suffering as a consequence of their choices and actions. He’s essentially saying, “I am disappointed with you because you’ve been subjected to hardship.” Important Context (Why it Matters): This verse is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of God's plan for Israel to become strong and unified despite the challenges they face from other nations. It's a message of hope – that through correction and renewed effort, God will ultimately bring them back to his favor. Think of it like this: It’s a moment of intense emotional reaction by God, acknowledging the pain he feels because of the Israelites' situation. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Discuss what this verse might mean for the future of Israel? Compare it to another Bible passage with a similar theme?