Definition: Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, [If] ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 1:8. It’s a really important and slightly unsettling part of the Bible. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about obedience and consequences . It’s saying that if your servant Moses (who was a very important leader) told him to follow certain rules, and he didn’t do so, God will punish him. It's like a warning – if you break a promise, there will be a price. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Remember…” : This is a reminder of a past instruction. It's bringing back to mind something important that Moses gave him. “…I beseech thee…” : This phrase shows that Moses was pleading with him. He wasn’t just giving a command; he was asking for sincere attention and understanding. "...the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses..." : This is the core of the verse – it's about a specific rule or instruction given to Moses. It’s likely about a law or guideline that Moses set down. "...saying, [If] ye transgress..." : This is the crucial part: “if you break .” It means if he disobeyed or didn’t follow through with what was asked of him. "...I will scatter you abroad among the nations:" : This is the consequence – God will send him far away, to different countries. What does it mean practically? It suggests that Moses trusted his servant and gave him a clear guideline. When he didn’t follow that guideline, God would take action against him. It's a symbolic representation of divine punishment for disobedience. Important Context (briefly): This verse appears in the Book of Nehemiah, which is about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after a period of chaos and rebellion. Moses was given this instruction to ensure the city’s safety and order. In short, it's a warning about the importance of obeying God’s rules and the consequences that can arise from disobeying. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Give some examples of how this principle applies in our lives today?