Definition: But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: [is it] not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic passage from the Old Testament. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about someone trying to trick God. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Isaiah 36:7” : This refers to a vision or prophecy given by Isaiah, a prophet living around the time of King David. “But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God…” - This is the starting point. Isaiah is speaking to someone who’s trying to challenge him and his message. He's asking, "Are you really confident that we trust in God?" “[is it] not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away…” - This is the key part. Hezekiah was King of Judah during this time. Isaiah is saying: “You’re talking about God, but you’re taking away His special places – his temples and high places – where he’s worshipped.” "...and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?” - This is the scary part. Hezekiah was trying to make Judah (the northern kingdom) and Jerusalem (the southern kingdom) believe that they could worship him – the King of God – instead of worshipping God directly. Hezekiah wanted to create a situation where people would be focused on him and not on God’s true, supreme authority. So, what's happening? Isaiah is warning Hezekiah that he was trying to manipulate God by making Judah believe they could worship him instead of honoring the real God. It was a manipulative tactic designed to weaken faith and potentially lead to disobedience. In short: Isaiah is saying, “You’re trying to undermine God's authority by creating a situation where people think you are in charge and not truly worshipping the divine.” Why is this important? It speaks to themes of deception, pride, and the dangers of challenging God’s will. It's a reminder that we must always remain humble before our God and avoid trying to control or manipulate him. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event from the Bible?