Daarom, luister naar het woord van de HEERE, heel Juda dat in het land Egypte woont: Zie, Ik zweer bij Mijn grote Naam, zegt de HEERE: Als Mijn Naam ooit nog zal worden aangeroepen door de mond van enig man uit Juda in heel het land Egypte, die zegt: Zo waar de Heere HEERE leeft!
Wat betekent dit?
In this verse, God is speaking to the people of Judah who have moved to Egypt. He promises that His name will no longer be used in oaths by anyone in Egypt. This shows God's displeasure with their actions and behavior.
Uitgelegd voor kinderen
Imagine you have a friend who keeps breaking their promises. You might say, 'I won't let you use my name to promise anything anymore.' That's what God is saying to the people who moved to Egypt. He doesn't want them to use His name when they make promises.
Historische achtergrond
Jeremiah, a prophet in the Old Testament, wrote this verse around 600 BC. He was addressing the Jews who had fled to Egypt after the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem. The cultural setting reflects a time when people would use God's name to swear oaths, showing their commitment.
Toepassing voor vandaag
Today, this verse reminds us to use God's name with respect and not to make promises we can't keep. For example, when you're making plans with friends, be sure to follow through so you don't bring dishonor to God's name.
God was showing His displeasure with the Jews for their disobedience and their misuse of His name in oaths, indicating He would no longer be associated with their actions.
How can we use God's name with respect?
We can use God's name with respect by being honest in our speech and following through on our commitments, so we don't bring dishonor to His name.
Is this verse only for the people of Judah?
This verse speaks directly to the people of Judah, but the principle of using God's name with respect applies to all believers.
What can we learn about God from this verse?
We can learn that God takes seriously how His name is used and that He expects His people to act in a way that honors Him.