Definition: And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go [to be] among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 31:16. It’s a really important and somewhat sobering passage about the future of Israel. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is warning Moses about the potential for his people to disobey God and turn away from him. It speaks about a time when they will be lost and abandoned . Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD said unto Moses…” : This establishes that this isn't just a random thought; it’s a direct instruction from God himself. “…Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers…” : This is the key part. “Sleep” in this context means stop listening to God . It’s about neglecting what God has taught and done. Moses is saying that he'll be living as if he doesn’t need God anymore – a period of inactivity. “…and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go [to be] among them…” : This describes what happens when people stop listening to God. They'll begin to worship other gods, especially foreign gods – those from other countries. They’ll be wandering and turning away from the one true God. It’s a picture of people choosing their own path instead of following God’s. “…and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.” : This is where it gets really serious. “Forsake” means to leave someone or something behind. Moses says the people will abandon him, and he will be left alone. And crucially, they will break a covenant . A covenant is a promise or agreement between God and his people – a sacred bond. This covenant was made with Israel long ago. Breaking it means disobeying God’s rules and promises. In short, the verse warns that if people don't listen to God and remain faithful to him, they will eventually choose to worship other gods and lose their way. What does this mean for us today? This verse is a reminder of the importance of: Obedience: Following God’s commands and rules. Faithfulness: Staying true to your beliefs and promises. Commitment: Being dedicated to God and his purposes. It's a call for vigilance and encouragement to stay on the right path, even when it’s difficult. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss its context within the Old Testament? Talk about how this verse relates to other stories or scriptures?