Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
«Jeg holdt Meg i ro fra evighet av. Jeg tidde og holdt Meg tilbake. Men nå vil Jeg skrike som en fødende kvinne. Jeg vil stønne og gispe på samme tid. Jeg vil legge fjellene og haugene øde og svi av alle vekstene der. Jeg vil gjøre elvene til kystland og tørke opp innsjøene. Jeg vil føre de blinde på en vei de ikke kjenner. Jeg vil lede dem på ukjente stier. Jeg vil gjøre mørket til lys foran dem, og Jeg gjør steder som er vanskelig å komme til, lette å bevege seg i. Alt dette skal Jeg gjøre, og Jeg skal ikke forsømme det.» De skal tvinges tilbake. De som stoler på avgudene, skal det gå dårlig for. Avgudene er jo ikke mer enn utskårne bilder og støpte bilder. At dere kan kalle dem for gudene deres!
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, God is speaking and says that He has been quiet for a long time but now He will act powerfully, like a woman in labor. This shows that God's patience has limits and He will take action when necessary.
Explained for Children
Imagine you've been very patient with a noisy neighbor, but now you've had enough and you're going to make your feelings known, just like a mom in labor. God is like that too; He's patient but sometimes He has to act strongly.
Historical Background
This verse is from the book of Isaiah, written by the prophet Isaiah in the 8th century BCE. It was written for the people of Israel, who were facing difficult times. The verse reflects a moment where God reveals His readiness to intervene.
Living It Out Today
Think of a situation where you've held your patience for too long, like dealing with a boss who keeps overloading you with work. This verse reminds you that there's a limit to patience, and it's okay to act decisively when necessary.
What does it mean when God says He will 'destroy and devour at once'?
This phrase indicates that God will act decisively and forcefully when necessary, showing that His patience has limits and He will take action to restore justice.
Why does God compare Himself to a woman in labor?
God uses this analogy to convey the intensity and urgency of His upcoming actions, emphasizing that just as a woman in labor cannot hold back her cries, God's intervention cannot be delayed.
How does this verse relate to other parts of the Bible?
This verse connects to other passages that discuss God's patience and eventual decisive action, such as Revelation 12:2 where similar imagery is used to describe God's power.
What can we learn from this verse about God's character?
We learn that God is patient but also powerful and decisive, especially when it comes to protecting His people and restoring justice.