Definition: For this city hath been to me [as] a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 32:31. It’s a really powerful and somewhat dramatic statement about God’s perspective on a city. Here's a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: God is feeling extremely angry with a particular city because it’s been built and prospering (growing) for a long time. He sees it as a challenge to him, a test of his patience and judgment. He’s saying that he's observing this city constantly and feels like it's causing him frustration. Let’s unpack the words: “For this city hath been to me…” : This is a very formal way of saying "for this city." It emphasizes that this isn’t just any city; it’s this city that’s bothering him. “…as [as] a provocation…” : This is the key part. “Provocation” means something that causes anger or frustration. God feels like this city is deliberately trying to upset him. It’s not a random occurrence; he's actively feeling it. "...from the day that they built it even unto this day;" : This tells us how long ago this has been happening. It’s saying that this city has been a problem for a very, very long time – practically since its beginnings. “Even unto this day” emphasizes the continuous nature of the issue. “…that I should remove it from before my face.” : This is the consequence of God's anger. He’s saying that he wants to distance himself from this city. He doesn't want to be involved in its problems, and he intends to leave it behind. Overall Meaning: God isn’t just annoyed by the city; he actively feels a strong negative reaction to it because it’s causing him frustration and discomfort. It’s like he’s saying, "I'm watching you closely, and I don't want to be involved in your success." It’s a moment of intense judgment and perhaps a hint of divine displeasure. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a sign that God is testing the faithfulness of those who worship him. It suggests a potential for God to judge or punish those who are not obedient to his will. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific event or story from the Old Testament? Discuss its possible symbolic meaning?