Definition: Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them]; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from Jeremiah 29:19. It's a really important and somewhat heartbreaking part of the Old Testament. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about disobedience and missed opportunity. God sent prophets (people who spoke for him) to tell people about something important ā things he wanted them to understand and do. But, instead of listening, people ignored his messages. Letās unpack it piece by piece: āJeremiah 29:19ā : This is a specific passage from the book of Jeremiah, which was written during a time when God was dealing with a nation facing a terrible drought and war. āBecause they have not hearkened to my wordsā¦ā : This means ābecause they didnāt listen to what I told them.ā Itās about failing to understand or obey God's instructions. āā¦saith the LORDā¦ā : This is God speaking directly to us. āwhich I sent unto them by my servants the prophetsā¦ā : God was sending messengers ā the prophets ā to reach out and warn people about important things. āā¦rising up early and sending [them]ā : The prophets were working hard, going out to find people and share their message. ābut ye would not hearā¦ā : This is the crucial part! The people didnāt respond to God's messages. They didnāt listen or understand what he was trying to tell them. So, putting it all together: God sent messengers to tell people about a specific situation ā perhaps a time of trouble or a need for change. But because they ignored his words, he rejected those messengers. It's like when youāre told to do something, but you don't follow through - itās a missed opportunity and a disappointment. The Significance & Feeling: This verse is often interpreted as a message of disappointment and sadness for humanity. It suggests that even though God has a plan for everything, people can't always understand or accept it. It also carries a sense of longing ā a desire to be heard and understood by God. In essence, itās a reminder that obedience is important, and that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we can't always get what we want. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Relate it to a specific biblical story or theme?