Definition: Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my nameâs sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 66:5. It's a really powerful and symbolic message about God’s plan for those who oppose Him. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is going to use a situation of conflict and rejection to bring about something wonderful – a glorious, triumphant appearance of Himself. It's about a reshuffle where the people who are trying to harm or reject Him are ultimately brought into a position of joy and shame. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: "Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word..." : This is a call to listen closely. It's not just any old message; it’s a significant, powerful message coming from God. It’s suggesting that God has something important to say. "...Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy..." : This is the core of the verse. It's about people who were previously enemies – those who rejected and cast someone out – now wanting to be glorified (made special) by God. They are pleading with him to appear to them in a way that will bring them happiness or pleasure. They’re essentially asking for a positive outcome. "...they shall be ashamed." : This is the crucial part. Because of their actions, they now must be humbled and ashamed before God. It's a humbling consequence of their wrongdoing. In simpler terms: Imagine someone who constantly tries to hurt you. God is going to use this situation – where those people are trying to cause you trouble – as an opportunity for something good to happen. When they finally have to face the consequences of their actions, they'll be ashamed and humbled before God. The Big Picture: This verse speaks about a process of transformation . It’s not just about punishment; it’s about a shift in perspective. God is using the negativity and conflict to draw people closer to Himself and ultimately reveal His goodness and power. --- Important Note: This is a complex passage, and there's often different interpretation depending on how you look at it. However, this explanation hopefully gives you a good foundational understanding of its meaning. Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes?