Definition: Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God [is] righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Daniel 9:14. It’s a really important and somewhat complex passage about God's judgment and the consequences of disobedience. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is watching over us and has already brought something bad – hardship, trouble, or disaster – upon us. He’s also judging us for not following his instructions. Let's unpack it word by word: “Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us” : This means God is aware of the problems happening in the world. He’s observing what’s going wrong. "Evil" isn't just a simple bad thing; it can mean things like war, famine, oppression, or injustice. “for the LORD our God [is] righteous in all his works which he doeth” : This is where it gets interesting. “Righteousness” means doing what’s morally correct and pleasing to God. God is righting a wrong, even though we didn't obey him. He’s doing what he wants to accomplish, even if we don't understand why. “for we obeyed not his voice” : This is the crucial part. "Obeyed his voice" means following God’s instructions and guidelines. We were not listening to Him! We didn't heed His guidance or wisdom. So, what does it all mean? It suggests a pattern of disobedience leading to consequences. God has been watching over us for a long time, and he’s now judging us because we didn't listen to His instructions. It paints a picture of a larger story – a time when humanity was falling short of God’s will. Important Context (Briefly): This verse is part of a longer narrative in the book of Daniel. It’s about a period of great trouble and political upheaval in Judah during the reign of King Jehoiash. It highlights that even though God is powerful and righteous, He also expects us to be obedient to Him. In short, it’s a warning and a statement of justice from God. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes? Give you some potential interpretations of what this verse might be about (keeping in mind it’s a complex passage)?