Definition: Thus saith the Lord GOD; [Art] thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days [many] years that I would bring thee against them?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 38:17. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic passage about God’s plan for a future conflict. Here’s what it means, explained in simple terms: The Basic Idea: God is saying to someone (we can assume it’s a prophet named Ezekiel) that he was prophesied about long ago – thousands of years before! He said, “I told you I would bring you against them.” Let's unpack the parts: “Thus saith the Lord GOD” : This is just a formal way for God to introduce himself. It’s like saying "This is what God says..." “[Art] thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel?” : This is the key part. The prophet is asking if this person – this individual – was the very person he prophesied about. He's saying, “Are you the one I told you would be against those people?” “by my servants the prophets of Israel” : This tells us that the prophecy wasn’t just a random thought; it came from someone who had been called upon by God to speak this message. The prophets were God's messengers, and they were entrusted with delivering His word. “which prophesied in those days [many] years” : This emphasizes how long ago the prophecy was made – thousands of years! It shows that it’s a significant and old prediction. “that I would bring thee against them?” : This is the core of the message. God is saying, “I told you I would confront those people.” So, what does this mean in a nutshell? It means that God had a plan to punish or challenge those who were resisting His will, and He specifically called out this person – this prophet – as the one who would be involved. It’s a warning of impending conflict. Why is it important? This verse is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of a major battle or war between God and his people (representing those who oppose him). It's a reminder that God is actively working to bring about His purpose, even when it seems difficult. --- Do you want me to: Explain the context of this verse in more detail? Discuss what the prophecy might have meant for the people at the time? Compare it to another Bible passage about conflict or judgment?