Definition: Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Isaiah 30:1. It’s a pretty serious message about humanity’s choices and God’s judgment. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that people who are resistant to God’s guidance and are choosing to stay in their ways, even though they're trying to avoid Him, are setting themselves up for serious trouble. It’s like a chain reaction of bad things happening. Let’s unpack it word by word: “Woe to the rebellious children…” - This is a gentle but strong way of saying “sadness” or “sorrow.” It refers to those who are defiant and refusing to listen to God's instructions. “…saith the LORD…” – This is God speaking directly to us. “that take counsel, but not of me…” - This means they’re seeking advice from themselves , rather than listening to God’s wisdom or guidance. They're making their own decisions without consulting Him. “…and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit…” – This is the crucial part. They're trying to hide their wrongdoings and avoid punishment by covering up their actions, but they’re not hiding God’s judgment or love. It’s like putting on a disguise to avoid being seen. “that they may add sin to sin:” – This is the warning! They're going further and further down a path of wickedness and rebellion. It means they’re creating new, even more terrible sins by refusing to repent (turn away from their wrongdoings) or change their ways. In simpler terms: The verse warns that people who are choosing to ignore God’s guidance will eventually create increasingly serious problems for themselves. They’ll become so deeply entrenched in their bad habits and choices that they're destined to face consequences – possibly even eternal punishment – because they’re resisting God’s love. What does this mean for us today? It reminds us that we need to be open to God’s guidance, listen to His counsel, and seek His help rather than trying to avoid Him. It encourages humility - recognizing that we are prone to making mistakes and needing God's grace to change. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Give an example of something that could lead to this kind of situation? Talk about what the verse might be trying to convey about our relationship with God?