Definition: For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Jeremiah 32:30. It’s a really powerful and important passage about God’s judgment and focus on the Israelites. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse essentially says that the Israelites have been consistently messing up and provoking God’s anger throughout their lives – from when they were young, even before they started to be fully aware of their actions. God is directly addressing them with this judgment. Let's unpack it further: “For the children of Israel and the children of Judah…” : This refers to two specific groups of people: the Israelites (the nation that lived in Canaan) and the Judah people, who were a part of the larger Jewish community. It’s important to understand these groups are specifically the ones God is focusing on. “…have only done evil before me…” : This is the core of the message. The verse uses the word "evil" – it's not just any bad thing, but something that goes against God’s will and creates problems. It means they have been acting in ways that are disrespectful, harmful, or rebellious. “From their youth…” : This is a crucial point. It doesn’t mean all of their mistakes happened during childhood. It suggests a pattern – they’ve been making these mistakes from the very beginning. It implies a long history of trouble. “…with the work of their hands…” : This highlights that these actions aren't just about words or thoughts; they’re also manifested in tangible ways through their labor, building projects, and everyday activities. “Saith the LORD” : This is a formal way of saying “God speaks.” It adds weight to the verse – it's God directly telling them about what happened. What does this mean for us today? While it might seem like a harsh judgment, there’s a deeper message here: God isn’t just angry at the Israelites; He’s watching over them and focused on their behavior. It's a call to repentance – a turning away from sin and returning to God. It also implies that God is working through these events, perhaps with consequences for those who continue to act in ways that are displeasing to Him. In short, the verse paints a picture of a long-standing pattern of disobedience and rebellion against God's will. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific event or story from the Bible (like the Exodus)? Discuss what this verse might be trying to convey about human nature?