Definition: Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Isaiah 65:4. It's a pretty poetic and symbolic verse, and it speaks to a really important idea about God’s plan for humanity. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is saying that He wants to restore His relationship with us after a long separation. He’s not just talking about a future reunion – he’s talking about a current state of things where we are being kept separate from Him. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “Which remain among the graves”: This is a really strange image. It means people who are living in death, or in a state of spiritual dormancy – not actively engaged with God, but simply existing. It’s like being buried. “…and lodge in the monuments”: "Monuments" refers to God's house, His presence, and His temple. “Lodge” means to settle down, to take residence. So, it’s saying that God is bringing people back to His house – to live with Him again. “…which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels?”: This is the most shocking part. It describes a future scenario where God's creatures (animals) are being used as food. Let’s break it down further: “eat swine’s flesh”: This means animals that are deliberately tainted or corrupted – like those that have been sacrificed for human consumption, or perhaps even animals that have been treated poorly and don't deserve to be eaten. “and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels?” This is a bit more figurative. "Abominable things" refers to something morally wrong, impure, or dangerous. "Their vessels" means the world – our bodies, our societies, and our lives. It’s suggesting that God intends to purify these things through his creatures. So, what does it all mean? Isaiah 65:4 is essentially saying: God wants to bring humanity back into a close relationship with him. He's not just talking about a future reunion; he's saying He’s already working towards that. He intends to cleanse the world, and those who are living in spiritual death (and therefore separated from Him), through the actions of His creatures. The Significance: It’s a message of hope because it speaks about God's ultimate plan for redemption – not just for us, but for all of creation. It's a reminder that God is working to restore unity and purity in the world, even after a long separation. In short, it means God is working to bring us back to Himself through his creatures, restoring a relationship that was broken long ago. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss its connection to other parts of the Bible? Provide a metaphorical example to help illustrate the concept?