Definition: For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 11:17. It's a really powerful and difficult one, so we’ll go through it step by step: What is it saying? Basically, Jeremiah is writing about a serious situation where God is angry with Israel (the people of Israel) because they’ve disobeyed him and are causing trouble for themselves. He’s saying that God has intentionally set him up against them. Let's unpack the parts: “For the LORD of hosts…” : This tells us this isn’t just a random act of anger. It’s something specifically orchestrated by God. He’s speaking to someone powerful and significant. “…that planted thee…” : This is key! "Planted thee" means that God created Israel, and he’s now punishing them for their actions. Think of it like a seed being sown – God's anger is like the soil where the seed grows into something bad. "...hath pronounced evil against thee…” : This is a strong statement of God’s judgment. He’s saying that God has declared something terrible about Israel. It’s not just a feeling; it’s a formal declaration of punishment. “…for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah…” : This is where it gets really important. “House of Israel” refers to the tribes of Israel, and "house of Judah" refers to the tribe of Judah. God is saying that both groups – Israelites and the people of Judah – are contributing to this problem. It’s a collective responsibility. “which they have done against themselves…” : This is crucial. It means that these actions aren't caused by a mistake or a single person; they were planned and done deliberately by Israel. They’re actively provoking God’s anger. "...to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal." : This is the core of the problem. The people of Israel were worshipping other gods – primarily Baal, a local deity. Jeremiah describes them offering incense (a ritual smoke offering) to this false god. God was deeply angered by this practice because it was considered idolatry – worshipping idols instead of God. What does it mean in simpler terms? It means that Israel has been actively defying God through their choices and practices, and those choices are causing him grief and pain. They’re creating problems for themselves, and God is directly punishing them because of this. Why is this a big deal? This verse is a warning about the dangers of disobedience and idolatry. It highlights that: God's judgment isn't just about us ; it's about the whole nation of Israel. It’s important to stay true to God’s word and worship only him. In short, this verse is a serious statement about divine wrath and the consequences of disobeying God. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of it in more detail? Connect this verse to other biblical stories or themes? Discuss what this verse might mean for our lives today (e.g., how we should live)?