Definition: For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find [it so].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 10:18. It’s a pretty dramatic statement, but it speaks to a serious warning about God’s plan for Israel. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: God is telling the Israelites (and us!) that He intends to completely destroy and displace them. It’s not just a general warning; it’s a very specific promise of a complete and devastating event. Let’s unpack it word by word: “Jeremiah 10:18 For thus saith the LORD…” - This is God speaking directly to the people. He's giving a direct message. “…Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once…” – "Sling out" means to throw something forcefully and with great force. This suggests a very quick and impactful action. “At this once” emphasizes that it’s not going to happen again. “and will distress them, that they may find [it so].” - This is the key part. God intends to distress them – to make them unhappy, troubled, and possibly even suffer. The phrase "find it so" is a bit figurative; it means that their lives will be irrevocably changed for the worse. So, what does this mean in simpler terms? It’s essentially saying God has a very clear plan to completely remove Israel from its land and cause them immense hardship. He's promising a complete and utter destruction of their people – both physically and spiritually. It’s a strong warning about the potential consequences of rejecting God’s will. Important Context - Why is this verse significant? This passage is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of Israel’s eventual exile into Babylon. It was part of a larger prophetic message that warned of God's judgment on his people and their abandonment. --- Do you want to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of Jeremiah 10 in the Bible? Discuss the meaning of “distress” in this context? Talk about the significance of this message throughout biblical history?