Definition: Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 29:31. It's a really important and complex passage with a lot of layers, but here’s the gist: The Basic Idea: This verse is about trusting in God even when things seem impossible and allowing him to work through difficult situations . Let's unpack it piece by piece: 1. “Jeremiah 29:31” : This refers to a specific prophecy written by Jeremiah, a prophet for the Israelites during a time of great trouble. It’s a warning about the future. 2. “Send to all them of the captivity…” : Jeremiah is telling someone – likely a leader or group of people facing hardship – that God wants to reach out to those who are in a state of being "captured" . He doesn't mean they’re physically imprisoned, but rather… 3. “…saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite…” : Shemaiah is a person named. The “Thus saith the LORD” part is key. It means Shemaiah is speaking to God . 4. “Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you…” : This highlights that Shemaiah has been speaking to people – giving them warnings and guidance. 5. “and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:” This is the really tricky part. It's saying that God didn’t actually send Shemaiah . He allowed it to happen. And here’s where it gets even more significant: “He caused you to trust in a lie” : God allowed Shemaiah to give false advice and guidance, perhaps to manipulate or lead people astray. It's like letting someone tell you something that isn't true, but you believe them anyway. Putting it all together – The Core Message: This verse is essentially saying: “God has a plan, even when things look bleak. He’s working through difficult situations and may involve people who are in a state of being vulnerable or misled. He doesn't interfere directly, but allows the situation to unfold because he wants it to be resolved for good.” Why is this important? It's about God’s Sovereignty: It shows that God is in control, even when people are struggling. It's about Faith and Trust: The verse encourages us to trust in God, even when we don't understand why things are happening or if it seems unfair. It's about Opportunity for Redemption: Sometimes, allowing difficult situations to unfold can create an opportunity for people to change their hearts and find true faith. In short, it’s a reminder that God is actively working in the world, even when it seems like we’re lost or facing hardship. --- To help me explain this further, could you tell me: What are you hoping to understand better about this verse? (e.g., Is it about faith? Is it about a specific situation?)