Definition: Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this beautiful verse from Deuteronomy 4:36. It’s a really powerful and important passage about God’s relationship with humanity. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is speaking to Moses (and later to the Israelites) and saying, “I want you to hear me!” And he’s showing them something incredibly significant – a fiery experience. Let's unpack each part: “Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice…” - This means God didn’t just tell Moses; He actively created the ability for him to listen and understand Him. He gave him a way to hear His voice. “…that he might instruct thee:” – This is key! It's not just about listening passively. God wants to teach Moses things, give him guidance, and show him what’s important. “And upon earth he shewed thee his great fire…” - This is the really striking part. He showed them a powerful, intense experience – a “great fire.” A fire isn't just about burning things; it represents God’s power and truth. “…and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.” – This means Moses actually listened to that fiery experience. He didn't just hear it, he understood it! He understood that the fire wasn't random; it was a message from God. It represented something important and powerful. So, what’s the overall message? This verse is about God's communication and His presence. He isn't just talking to us; He’s showing us through vivid experiences – like the fire – that He is real, powerful, and speaking to us in a way we can understand. It emphasizes that God wants a close relationship with us and communicates with us directly. In essence, it’s a story about God revealing Himself powerfully to Moses, and then showing him through a fiery experience, so he understands His message. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific theme (like faith or obedience)? Give you a metaphorical example?