Definition: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, [I say], that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 21:24. It's a pretty serious and impactful statement about God’s judgment. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse essentially says that God is watching what we do and that He sees our sins. It’s a warning about the consequences of our actions. Let’s unpack it word by word: “Ezekiel 21:24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD;” - This establishes who is speaking – God Himself. It's a formal declaration. “Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered…” - “Iniquity” means our sins, wrongdoings, and imperfections. "Made" here means we’ve done them. So, this part says God has noticed our bad deeds. “in that your transgressions are discovered…” – “Transgressions” is a fancy word for sins – things we've broken the rules of. Discovering these sins means God is revealing them to us. “so that in all your doings your sins do appear;” - This emphasizes that our actions, every single thing we do, are now open to God’s scrutiny. It's not just about some specific wrongdoings, but every action we take. “because, [I say], that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.” - This is a powerful image. “Come to remembrance” means being noticed or known. "Taken with the hand" is a metaphorical way of saying we’re going to be held accountable – we'll be brought before God and face consequences for our actions. It suggests that our sin will not just be hidden, but will be revealed in a way that puts us under His judgment. What does it mean practically? The verse speaks about a future time when God will examine all of humanity. He’ll look at every single action we take, and He’ll bring those actions into light. It's a sobering reminder that our choices have consequences and that there will be a reckoning for our sins. Important Note: This is a very poetic and symbolic passage. It doesn’t necessarily mean every person will be punished in the same way, but it signifies that God will ultimately hold everyone accountable for their actions. --- To help me explain this verse better to you, could you tell me: What specifically are you finding confusing about it? (e.g., the imagery, the meaning of "iniquity," etc.) What’s your current understanding of these concepts?