Definition: The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this beautiful passage from Isaiah 40:6. It's a really thought-provoking verse that speaks about suffering and finding hope in difficult times. Hereās what it means in simpler terms: Essentially, itās saying: āWhen things are hard, when we feel overwhelmed or like we canāt cope, God is offering us a way to express our pain.ā Let's unpack that a little further: "The voice said, Cry." ā This isnāt a commanding voice telling you to suffer. Itās more like a gentle observation ā acknowledging that hardship exists. It suggests that feeling burdened or upset is a natural response to difficult circumstances. āAnd he said, What shall I cry?ā ā Now this is the key part. God is offering us a way to express those feelings. Heās saying, "You're feeling this way? There's nothing to cry about. I can help you." "All flesh [is] as the flower of the field:" ā This is where the imagery comes in. āFleshā refers to humanity ā all people. āFlower of the fieldā compares us to a beautiful, delicate flower growing in a vast field. Hereās what it means: āAll fleshā: We are all made of the same stuff as plants and flowers - we are created in God's image. āAs the flowerā¦ā ā Flowers are valued for their beauty, fragility, and life. They require care, but they also bring joy and beauty to the world. So, the whole verse is saying: Even when we feel like weāre drowning or that nothing can help us, God offers us a way to express our feelingsāa way to feel something without being overwhelmed by it. It's about acknowledging our emotions and having a connection with something bigger than ourselves. Overall Meaning & Context: This verse is often interpreted as a reminder of Godās love and compassion for us, even when we are struggling. It emphasizes that suffering isnāt pointless, and that thereās always hope to be found in faith and trust. It suggests that our pain is part of a larger, beautiful, and interconnected creation. Do you want me to: Explain it further with examples? Discuss the connection to other Bible verses? Explore its symbolism in more detail?