Definition: In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezekiel 43:8. It’s a really powerful and somewhat dramatic statement about God’s judgment. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a moment of intense, furious anger by God towards a people who were serving him and were exhibiting terrible behavior. It's essentially saying, “You have broken my trust and disobeyed me in a serious way.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds…” – Imagine a doorway or entrance. This refers to the people of Israel, specifically those who were serving God under Elijah. They were being honored and directed towards Him. “…and their post by my posts…” – This is a metaphor for a place of worship, like a temple or altar. They were being dedicated to God’s presence. “And the wall between me and them…” – This signifies a boundary or separation. It was a physical and spiritual divide between God and his people. “…they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed:” – This is the key part. “Abominations” means something utterly wrong, shocking, or disrespectful. The verse describes specific behaviors they’ve been engaging in: “They have committed…” – This indicates a significant transgression. “abominations” - These are acts that violate God's laws and standards. It suggests things like idolatry (worshipping other gods), lying, stealing, violence, and disrespecting divine commands. The Anger: The verse culminates with the phrase: “wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.” This means God was so furious that He reacted – He punished – those people with a severe punishment. It’s not just a feeling of displeasure; it’s a righteous, forceful response to their disobedience. Overall Meaning: This verse paints a picture of God as being incredibly serious about his relationship with humanity. His anger is a consequence of their breaking His trust and disrespecting Him. It's a reminder that obedience is vital for maintaining a good relationship with God. Important Note: This is a complex passage, and there’s a lot of interpretation surrounding it. It's often seen as a warning about the dangers of disobedience and emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's judgment. --- Would you like me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Provide context for this passage within the larger story of Israel’s history? Talk about how this verse relates to other parts of the Bible?