Definition: And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Judges 3:7. It’s a really important and troubling passage about disobedience and idolatry. Here's a simplified explanation: What it says: “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.” Let’s unpack each part: “Judges 3:7” : This is the verse itself – a specific event in biblical history. It's talking about a period of serious trouble for Israel. “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD…” : This means they disobeyed God directly and showed disrespect. It was a big mistake, and God saw it. "Evil" here doesn’t necessarily mean a violent act – it means straying from what is right and true to Him. “…and forgat the LORD their God…” : This is the core of the problem. They stopped worshipping God as the most important being in their lives. They started focusing on other things – things that weren't really sacred or connected to God’s will. It was like they were building a shrine to something else instead of worshipping Him . “…and served Baalim and the groves.” : This is where it gets even more serious. The Israelites turned to another god – called Baalim – and began worshiping at various groves (sacred places) in the wilderness. Baalim was a polytheistic god – meaning he worshipped many gods, each with their own rules and ways. This was a major shift away from God's single, perfect plan for Israel. So, what’s the big takeaway? It describes a period of intense idolatry – worshipping false idols (other gods) instead of the true God. This wasn’t just a minor mistake; it was a fundamental rejection of God and his purpose for them. Why is this important? This story shows how easily people can stray from their faith when they become obsessed with something else, even if that "something else" isn't truly sacred or aligned with God’s will. It highlights the importance of obedience to God and staying true to his teachings. In short: The Israelites messed up by ignoring God, turning to other gods, and prioritizing things over worshiping him. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse in more detail? (e.g., the consequences of idolatry?) Connect it to another biblical story?