Definition: Remember, [and] forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Deuteronomy 9:7. It’s a really important verse about responsibility and God's anger. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that when we disobey God, even after leaving a place he helped us through, we are responsible for his wrath – which is like God’s very angry feeling. It’s about acknowledging the consequences of our choices. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Remember…” : This isn’t just asking us to remember something specific; it’s a call to actively think back on what happened. “…and forget not…” : This is crucial! “Forget” means to ignore, or not pay attention to. It's saying we need to fully and completely recall the situation. “How thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath…” : This is the big part. "Provoked" means to disturb or upset God. The verse says that when we disobeyed him, we caused him to be angry – to show his displeasure. It’s like causing a storm! “in the wilderness…” : This refers to a time of hardship and separation from home. We were leaving Egypt, a land of plenty, and then we started acting badly. “…from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt…” : This tells us when it happened. It was when we left the land of Egypt – a place God had helped us on our journey. “…until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.” : This is where it gets important. “Rebellious” means to disobey or defy someone. The verse says that because we disobeyed him after leaving Egypt, we've been acting like we’re defying God – like we’re not listening to his guidance. In short: Deuteronomy 9:7 is a warning about the consequences of disobedience. It’s saying that our actions have repercussions and we are accountable for them. It’s a reminder that we need to be mindful of what we do, as it affects God's relationship with us. Why is this verse important? This story is often used to explain the importance of obedience and trust in God. It highlights that disobeying God can have serious consequences, both for ourselves and for those around us. It’s a reminder to always listen to God's voice and to honor his will. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give an example of a situation where this verse might be relevant? Explore another part of the Deuteronomy 9 verse?