Definition: Or hath God assayed to go [and] take him a nation from the midst of [another] nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important verse from Deuteronomy 4:34. It's a really powerful message about how God works with people. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that God really wanted to make a whole nation – the Israelites – out of other nations. He was planning to take them, and he was going to do it in a really difficult, scary way. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "Or hath God assayed to go…" : This is like saying "Did God try?" It’s a question of whether God is considering this plan. “…and take him a nation from the midst of [another] nation…” : This means God was thinking about taking a whole group of people – the Israelites – out of another group of people. It’s not just a small part; it's a significant amount of people. "...by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors…” : This is the scary part! God was planning to make this happen quickly and dangerously . He was going to use: Temptations: He was trying to persuade them to do something wrong. Signs: He was using events that were unusual or seemed to be happening on purpose – like a terrible plague, to make people question God's plan. Wonders: He would be showing them things to make them worry and believe he wasn’t acting in their best interest. War: He was planning to involve conflict to force them to accept his will. A mighty hand: This refers to a forceful, dominating plan - God’s power in action. A stretched out arm: This is like a very long and dangerous reach – showing them the full extent of what was happening. Great terrors: He was creating fear for the Israelites. What's the Point? The verse emphasizes that God’s plan wasn't about just starting to build a nation. He had already started, and he was going to make it incredibly difficult and frightening, all because of his desire to have a whole group of people under his control. It was a test, really. In short, it’s a reminder that God is powerful and can use difficult situations to show us who He is and what He wants. Important Note: This verse is complex and has been interpreted in different ways throughout history. It's important to remember this wasn’t necessarily about evil plans. It was a way for God to demonstrate his power, test the Israelites, and prepare them for their future role as a nation under his guidance. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event in the Bible? Discuss its theological significance (like the idea of divine sovereignty)?