Definition: Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, [There is] an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 7:13. It's a really important and dramatic passage about a massive betrayal! Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: Imagine Israel was being attacked by the Philistines – they were invading their land. The Israelites were deeply worried, and they needed to stop this invasion quickly. Their King, Joshua, had a plan to do this. He decided to send a special angel (God’s messenger) to the Philistine camp to take away something terrible – an idol! What the Verse Says: “Joshua 7:13 says that God is telling them, ‘Up, sanctify yourselves against tomorrow!’” Let's unpack that: “Up, sanctify yourselves…” This means actively work to purify yourself. It’s not enough to just be polite or nice; you need to change your own attitude and behavior. “…and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow…” This is the key part! It's telling them to prepare for a future battle. They need to become strong and ready to fight. It’s like saying, “We need to be vigilant and prepared.” “For thus saith the LORD God of Israel…” - This is a very important statement – it’s from God himself. It's a serious warning. What it Means in Simple Terms: Joshua is telling the Israelites (and urging them) that they need to actively change themselves and prepare for a difficult future battle. They must become strong, righteous, and ready to defend themselves against their enemies. It’s about becoming a shield of God's protection. The Bigger Picture - Why it Matters: This verse is a warning about the importance of staying vigilant and resisting evil. It emphasizes that we need to be prepared for challenges – both big and small – and work to overcome them with God’s help. It’s a reminder that God wants us to always stand firm against temptation and opposition. In essence, it’s a call to proactive righteousness! --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Connect this verse to a specific story or theme in the Bible?