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Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 34 - Verse 18

34:18
Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?

Meaning

The verse is a warning from God to the Israelites about their destructive behavior towards the blessings He has given them. By consuming the good pasture and drinking of the deep waters, they have taken advantage of His provision without gratitude or consideration for the consequences. Their actions not only deplete the resources they have been given but also leave a trail of destruction in their wake, trampling down the residue of the pastures and fouling the leftover water with their feet. This verse serves as a reminder to the Israelites, and to us today, to be mindful of how we use the blessings and resources God has provided us with, showing gratitude and respect for His gifts rather than taking them for granted. It underscores the importance of stewardship and responsible consumption, urging us to be mindful of our impact on the world around us.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Ezekiel, God is rebuking the people of Israel for their destructive behavior. The metaphor of trampling down the residue of their pastures after consuming the good pasture and fouling the deep waters after drinking from them illustrates the Israelites' disregard for the blessings that God has provided for them. The theological interpretation of this passage emphasizes the importance of stewardship and gratitude towards God's provision. By wasting and defiling the resources given to them, the Israelites have shown a lack of reverence for God's gifts and a failure to live in harmony with creation. This passage serves as a reminder to appreciate and take care of the blessings we have been given, as well as to be mindful of the impact of our actions on the world around us.

American Standard Version

Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have fed upon the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture? and to have drunk of the clear waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
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