Definition: And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that passage from Ezekiel 19:7. It’s a pretty dramatic and unsettling verse, but it speaks about a significant event in God’s plan. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: A Severe Storm: The story begins with a massive storm – a terrible lightning strike – that hits Egypt. God’s Judgment: This storm is seen as a punishment from God for the Egyptians’ wickedness and their refusal to follow God’s laws. He’s essentially saying, “You’ve been bad to me, so I'm going to punish you.” The Destruction: The storm destroys Egypt, leading to widespread devastation – cities are burned, land becomes desolate, and everything is ruined. What the Verse Says (in simpler terms): “And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring.” “He knew their desolate palaces…” – This means God saw the Egyptians' cities and towns as being abandoned and ruined. He recognized they were places that had lost their purpose and were in a state of collapse. “…and he laid waste their cities…” – This is a very strong statement - it means God actively destroyed the cities, turning them into rubble and dust. “And the land was desolate…” – The land itself suffered greatly – it became barren, empty, and lifeless. “…and the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring.” – This is the most poetic part. “Fulness” means abundance or fullness. "Roaring" refers to God's intense, powerful roar – a sound of judgment and wrath. It suggests that the storm was so loud it shook the very ground. Overall Meaning: This verse paints a picture of God’s righteous anger and his ultimate control over humanity. It’s a story about divine judgment and the consequences of sin and wickedness. It emphasizes that God is powerful and will not tolerate evil. Important Note: This passage is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah (Jesus). Some see it as a sign of God’s impending wrath on humanity, while others view it as a prophecy about the restoration of order and justice through Jesus. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Discuss the symbolism behind the imagery (like the storm, the land, and the roaring)? Compare this verse to other biblical stories about judgment or punishment?