Definition: Therefore it shall come to pass, [that] as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 23:15. It's a pretty powerful and sobering passage about the future of Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is going to bring all kinds of trouble – bad things – upon Israel, even though they’ve been blessed with good things. It's a warning about a difficult time ahead. Let’s unpack the parts: “Therefore it shall come to pass…” : This means this is a prophecy – something that will happen. It’s not just a guess; it’s a promise of what will be. “…that as all good things are come upon you…” : This refers to blessings and opportunities God has given them – like a prosperous land, good harvests, and a stable future. Basically, they've been blessed with things that make their lives better. "...which the LORD your God promised you..." : This is crucial. It’s saying that specifically , God has made promises to them about these blessings. These aren’t random accidents; they were part of a plan He set for them. "So shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things…” : This is where it gets serious. The verse says that God will unleash all kinds of trouble and hardship on them – not just small problems, but devastating ones. "...until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you." : This is the most dramatic part. "Off this good land" means their current homeland, Israel, which has been blessed with a good life and prosperity. The verse says that God will destroy them – completely – from this land. It's as if they’ve lost everything they have. What does it mean in a bigger picture? This passage speaks to the idea of a period of hardship and suffering for Israel. It acknowledges that, despite their blessings, there’s a potential for disaster. It’s a reminder that God's faithfulness isn’t always about giving us good things; sometimes, He uses difficult times to teach us about our dependence on Him and the importance of faithfulness. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a prophecy of Israel's eventual destruction during a period of great turmoil – likely involving war with neighboring kingdoms. However, it’s also seen as a reflection of God's ultimate justice and His plan for humanity. In short, this verse warns about a future filled with hardship and potential destruction, but also emphasizes God’s faithfulness and promises. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to other biblical stories or themes? Provide a slightly different perspective on the meaning?