Definition: And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair [it].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 12:12. It’s a really important passage about God’s judgment and responsibility. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Situation: The House of the Lord is Under Attack: The “house” refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which was the central place where God lived and worked. It was under attack by a wicked king named Jeroboam. Jeroboam’s Mischief: Jeroboam was trying to create two different altars – one for himself and one for his son, Solomon – so he could worship other gods. This was considered a serious offense against God. Repairing the Damage: God, in response to this disrespect, decided to punish Jeroboam. He tasked the people of Israel (and particularly the masons, stone workers, and timber makers) with repairing the damage caused by his actions. Putting it All Together – What’s Being Asked? The verse is asking these individuals to: Fix Things: They need to rebuild or repair things that were damaged by Jeroboam's actions – specifically, the breaches in the Temple walls. Do a Big Job: It’s a massive task, requiring skilled labor and significant resources. The Significance - It’s about God’s Justice & His Care: This verse highlights several important things: God is Watching: It shows that God is actively involved in protecting His people and punishing those who disrespect His authority. God’s Righteousness: It demonstrates that God's justice isn't about revenge, but about upholding His truth and order. Responsibility & Obedience: It underscores the responsibility of individuals to follow God's commands and act justly, even when it is difficult. In short, this verse is a call to action – a reminder that God is watching over us, and we have a duty to uphold His principles. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Give you an example of how this verse might be interpreted in different ways?