Definition: And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 2:14 together. It’s a really important part of the story of how God gave the Israelites the land of Canaan. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about a woman who was being treated unfairly by the Israelites. She was trying to take advantage of them and get something from them, but God wanted to protect them. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the men answered her…” : This tells us that the Israelites were facing a problem – a woman who was being manipulative and demanding. “…Our life for yours…” : This is the crucial part. It means that God wants to be involved in this situation. He’s offering a deal – a way for God to protect the Israelites. “If ye utter not this our business.” : This is a warning. The Israelites were being dishonest and trying to gain something unfair. They needed to stop doing this. “And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.” : This is the promise . When God gives them the land, they must treat the woman (and anyone else who might try to take advantage) with respect, honesty, and fairness. “Truly” means honestly and genuinely. In a nutshell: God wants to protect the Israelites by ensuring they treat others with kindness and integrity as they work and live in their new land. It’s about establishing a just and honorable way of life. The Significance: This verse is a foundational part of the story of the Exodus. It highlights that God's presence isn’t just about providing a place to live, but also about guiding people towards righteous behavior. It emphasizes that through God’s guidance, they are called to be good neighbors and treat others with respect. Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts in more detail? Give you some examples of how this verse applies to real-life situations?