Definition: And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 57:14. It's a really important and somewhat poetic statement about God’s perspective on His people. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: God is saying that He wants to help His people – those who follow Him – progress and thrive. He’s deliberately setting up obstacles, challenges, and difficulties for them, specifically to encourage them to move forward and become better. Let's unpack it word by word: “And shall say…” : This is a command or instruction from God. He’s going to speak this out loud. “…Cast ye up, cast ye up…” : This part uses the verb "cast" which means to throw something upwards. So, “cast ye up” means to raise up or to push forward . It's a call for action – to actively work towards improvement and progress. “…prepare the way…” : This is key! It’s like saying “clear a path.” God wants to make things easier for His people. “…take up the stumblingblock out of the way…” : This is where it gets deeper. A “stumbling block” represents any difficulty, problem, or obstacle that hinders progress. God is deliberately placing these challenges for his people to overcome. It’s a gentle nudge, a challenge designed to help them grow stronger and wiser. Overall Meaning: Isaiah 57:14 essentially says God wants His people to be proactive and diligent in their journey towards righteousness and fulfillment. He’s setting up obstacles for them to learn from, strengthen themselves through, and ultimately become more like Him – a better, more mature group of believers. It's a reminder that growth often comes with challenges! Why is this important? This verse speaks to the idea that God doesn’t just passively watch His people. He actively participates in their journey towards becoming fully devoted to Him. It highlights the importance of perseverance, humility, and a willingness to work through difficulties – all things that are essential for spiritual growth. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Give an example of how this verse might be applied to someone’s life?