Definition: Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Isaiah 51:9. It’s a really powerful and symbolic piece of scripture with a lot of meaning. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about resilience, courage, and fighting for what’s right. It's essentially urging someone facing a difficult situation to be strong and not give up. It’s saying, “Don’t let this challenge defeat you; fight with all your might!” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Isaiah 51:9” : This is the verse itself – a prophecy from ancient Israel. “Awake, awake…” : This isn't just a command to get up. It means to renew , to re-energize . It’s about getting your spirit and focus back on the task at hand. “…put on strength…” : This is a metaphorical expression of gaining power and readiness. It’s like filling yourself with energy and preparing for a battle. “O arm of the LORD” : The "arm" refers to God, specifically His divine power and presence. It's not just about physical strength; it’s about the strength that comes from faith and trust in God. “…awake, as in the ancient days…” : This connects the verse to a time of great struggle and challenge in Israel's history. It suggests a time when they were facing enormous adversity. “…in the generations of old” : This emphasizes that this struggle isn't new; it’s been happening throughout history, across different times and places. “[Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab…” This is the most crucial part – it’s a reference to a specific event in the Old Testament. Rahab : This was a Canaanite woman who risked her life by secretly helping Jewish spies during a time of war. She was considered dangerous and wasn't allowed to be identified, so she was given a special status. Wounded the dragon: This is a very dramatic image. The "dragon" represents evil, opposition, or danger. The verse says that Rahab “wounded” (made an impact on) this dragon, meaning she risked her life to help the spies. Putting it all together – What's the message? The verse is saying: Don’t be intimidated by challenges. Don’t let fear or setbacks stop you from doing what’s right. Just like Rahab bravely risked her life to help the spies, you too need to stand strong and face your difficulties with courage and faith. It's a reminder that even in the darkest times, we can find strength to overcome. Why is this verse important? It speaks of resilience: It encourages us to not be discouraged by setbacks. It highlights the importance of courage: It urges us to face our challenges head-on. It connects to a long history: It reminds us that we’re part of a story of struggle and triumph across time. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or theme? Give you another example of scripture with a similar message?