Definition: And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 21:12. It’s a really important and somewhat mysterious passage about the end times and God's plan. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that Elijah, a prophet of God, was sending a message to King David’s descendants (specifically, to Judah) warning them about a time when they were drifting away from the righteous path. It's essentially an urgent plea for them to remember and follow God’s instructions. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And there came a writing to him…” : This refers to a message delivered by Elijah – a very significant prophet who lived during King David’s time. “…from Elijah the prophet…” : This identifies Elijah as the one sending this message. “…saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father…” : This is the core of the verse. Elijah is telling David's descendants that God himself is speaking to them. “Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father…” : This is where it gets a little more complicated, and it’s a key part of the message. Jehoshaphat was a king who led Israel through a period of great division and conflict. “Jehooshaphat” means "peaceful" or “fortunate.” “Thy father” refers to David. So, this part means: “Because you haven’t followed the path of Jehoshaphat - a time when they were righteous and followed God's instructions - you are drifting from the way God wants you to go.” “…nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah” : This continues the message. It points out that Asa was a king who led Israel through a period of instability and division, and he wasn’t following God's instructions well either. What’s the Big Picture? The verse is suggesting that there's a risk of Judah (and perhaps other nations) straying from God’s path. It’s telling them to revert to the righteousness they previously possessed, or at least to strive towards it, before it becomes too late. It's a warning about potential disaster. Why is this important? This verse is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the downfall of Judah under King Asa and later, the destruction of Israel. It’s a reminder that obedience and faithfulness to God are crucial for lasting success and prosperity. In short, it's a message about maintaining righteousness and avoiding falling into a path of disobedience. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious expert. This explanation is based on common interpretations of biblical texts. Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Talk about what this verse might symbolize? Give you some context about the times when this verse was written?