Definition: And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Judges 3:18. It’s a pretty powerful and important part of understanding a significant moment in biblical history. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very swift and decisive action by God to end the period of prosperity and peace he had established for Israel. Basically, God is saying, “Okay, we’ve been doing well here, but I need to take things back to basics.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: "And when he had made an end to offer the present..." – This means God was ending a period of blessing and prosperity. He was stopping something that had been happening for a while. "...he sent away the people that bare the present." - This is the key part. “Bare” here means "to be in charge of" or "to be carrying.” So, God is sending the people back to their previous roles, essentially returning them to a state of being before they were blessed. What does this mean practically? This verse speaks about a period of Israel’s prosperity and rule under Judges. It suggests that God was ending this time of blessing for a strategic reason – perhaps to prepare the way for a new era, or because he saw a growing threat. It's like a natural cycle – things change, and it’s important to bring them back into their proper place. Important Context: This verse is often interpreted as a sign that God was moving away from the current leadership of Judges, potentially preparing for a new king or a period of judgment. In short, it's about a swift reset – God stopping a period of blessing and sending the people back to their previous way of life. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Or perhaps explore a related theme (like the cycle of history)?