👉 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that [have] no [rain]; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from Zechariah 14:18. Itās a pretty serious and dramatic passage about judgment and Godās plan. Hereās a simple explanation: What it means in plain language: āIf Egypt doesn't go up to worship at the Tabernacle (the special place where God lived with his people), and donāt come to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles ā which is a big holy event ā then the LORD will send a terrible plague upon the strangers who donāt follow Godās rules.ā Let's unpack it bit by bit: āIf the family of Egypt doesn't go upā¦ā : This refers to the Pharaoh of Egypt, who was a powerful ruler at the time. The word "family" here is used metaphorically ā it means that Egypt is a whole nation and its people are important. āā¦and come notā¦ā : This means they donāt participate in the religious rituals or celebrations associated with the Feast of Tabernacles. "...that [have] no [rain]" : This is a crucial part. The verse says that when there's no rain , it will be a terrible plague. Rain is often seen as a symbol of Godās blessing and life-giving power, so the absence of rain signifies a loss of Godās favor or a time of hardship. āThere shall be the plagueā¦ā : This means a devastating disaster will occur. āā¦wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.ā : The "heathen" in this context refers to foreigners ā people from other nations who were living in Egypt at the time. The āfeast of Tabernaclesā was a massive celebration held by the Israelites, and it involved a lot of religious activity. This verse means that God will punish those who donāt participate in this important event with a terrible plague. What's the Big Picture? This passage is often interpreted as a warning about human wickedness and the consequences of rejecting Godās law. It speaks to the idea that humanity has a responsibility to follow Godās commands, and when we don't, we invite negative consequences. It also highlights Godās ultimate plan for judgment and restoration. Important Note: This is a complex passage with various interpretations over time. Different people have different ways of understanding its meaning. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Discuss the historical context surrounding this verse? Explore how this verse relates to other parts of the Bible?