Definition: For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nahum 2:2. It’s a really powerful and somewhat sobering message about God's judgment. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us that God is turning away from the people of Jacob (which is the basis for the story of Israel in the Old Testament). It’s not just a simple “God is angry.” It's a consequence of something bad happening. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Nahum 2:2” : This is the verse itself – it’s a passage from the Book of Nahum, which was written during a time of great trouble in Israel. “For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob…” - This means God has decided to not favor or bless Jacob (the ancestor of many Jewish people). "Excellence" is a fancy word for something wonderful, beautiful, and good. So, God isn’t showing favoritism – He's choosing to let things go wrong. “…as the excellency of Israel:” - This connects it back to the story of Israel. It means that this turning away is happening because of a serious problem or mistake that happened to Israel. It’s not just a random act of God; there's a reason behind it. “For the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.” - This is the most important part. "Emptiers" means people who are careless or wasteful. “Marked” means to damage or ruin something. Let’s break that down: “Emptying them out” : The people of Israel were getting into trouble – they were spending too much money, being greedy, and not caring for what God gave them. They weren't using their resources wisely. “Marred their vine branches” : This is a really vivid metaphor! A "vine" represents the community or people of Israel. The “branches” symbolize their prosperity and goodness. When they’re filled with waste and lack of care, their beautiful, thriving community – their future - begins to wither and become damaged. So, what does this verse mean? It suggests that sin can have serious consequences. It's not just about personal failings; it's about a collective problem that leads to ruin. God is taking action to protect His people from the negative effects of their actions and carelessness. It’s a reminder that we all need to be mindful of how we use our resources and how we treat others. In short, this verse warns us against wastefulness, greed, and a lack of care for what God has given us. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Nahum 2? Discuss the historical context of the story? Talk about the message behind the verse in a more general way?