Definition: And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joel 3:8. It's a really important message about the future of Israel and its relationship with other nations. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse is essentially saying that God is warning Israel about a very serious situation to come – a time when they will be conquered by another people, the Sabeans. He's telling them to prepare for this inevitable outcome. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah…” This is the key part. It means that Israel will be forced to give up its young people – their sons and daughters – to other nations. "The children of Judah" refers specifically to the Jewish people, as it’s a historical group with a deep connection to this verse. "...and they shall sell them to the Sabeans…” The Sabeans were a group of nomadic peoples who lived in the region of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). They were known for their military strength and ambition, and they eventually conquered much of what was once Israel. This is the specific people God is warning them about. "...to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken [it]” – This is where it gets really significant. The word "Lord" here is a key part of the message. God is speaking directly to them, and this verse implies that this is a prophecy – a prediction about what will happen. So, what's the overall meaning? Joel 3:8 is a warning about impending doom. It suggests that God’s judgment will befall Israel if they don’t repent (change their ways) and become unfaithful to Him. It’s a message of ultimate consequence for their actions – giving away their future generations to an enemy. Important Context: This verse comes before Joel 3, which describes the purification of the Temple in Jerusalem after a period of wickedness. It's often interpreted as a sign that God is preparing for a time of great tribulation and destruction. It’s a call to action – it urges Israel to change their behavior now to avoid this catastrophic outcome. In short, Joel 3:8 warns about a future crisis where Israel will be forced to surrender its young people to neighboring nations, signifying a loss of everything they have. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Provide a historical context for the verse? Discuss what this verse might mean today (considering our current world situation)?