CHAPTER III _The prophecy in this chapter is thought by some to relate to_ _the latter times of the world, when God shall finally deliver_ _his people from all their adversaries; and it must be confessed_ _that the figures employed are so lofty as to render it_ _impossible to restrain the whole... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joel 3:2. _THE VALLEY OF JEHOSHAPHAT_] There is no such valley in the land of Judea; and hence the word must be _symbolical_. It signifies the _judgment of God_, or _Jehovah judgeth_; and may mean some place (as Bp. _Newcome_ imagines) where Nebuchadnezzar should gain a great battle, which wou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joel 3:3. _HAVE GIVEN A BOY FOR A HARLOT_] To such wretched circumstances were the poor Jews reduced in their captivity, that their children were sold by their oppressors; and both _males_ and _females_ used for the _basest purposes_. And they were often bartered for the necessaries or luxurie... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 4. _WHAT HAVE YE TO DO WITH ME_] Why have the _Tyrians_ and _Sidonians_ joined their other enemies to oppress my people? for they who touch my people touch _me_. _WILL YE RENDER ME A RECOMPENSE?_] Do you think by this to avenge yourselves upon the Almighty? to retaliate upon God! Proceed, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 5. _YE HAVE TAKEN MY SILVER AND MY GOLD_] The Chaldeans had spoiled the temple, and carried away the _sacred vessels_, and put them in the temple of their own god in Babylon.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _SOLD UNTO THE GRECIANS_] These were the descendants of _Javan_, Genesis 10:2-1. And with them the _Tyrians_ trafficked, Ezekiel 27:19. _THAT YE MIGHT REMOVE THEM FAR FROM THEIR BORDER._] Intending to send them _as far off_ as possible, that it might be impossible for them to get back to r... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _I WILL RAISE THEM_] I shall find means to bring them back from _the place whither ye have sold them_, and they shall retaliate upon you the injuries they have sustained. It is said that Alexander and his successors set at liberty many Jews that had been sold into Greece. And it is likely t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _I WILL SELL YOUR SONS_] When _Alexander_ took Tyre, he reduced into slavery all the lower people, and the women. _Arrian_, lib. ii., says that _thirty thousand_ of them were _sold_. _Artaxerxes_ _Ochus_ destroyed _Sidon_, and subdued the other cities of _Phoenicia_. In all these wars, says... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _PREPARE WAR_] Let all the enemies of God and of his people join together; let them even call all the tillers of the ground to their assistance, instead of labouring in the field; let every _peasant_ become a _soldier_. Let them turn their _agricultural_ _implements_ into _offensive weapons... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _LET THE HEATHEN BE WAKENED_] The heathen _shall be_ _wakened_. _THE VALLEY OF JEHOSHAPHAT_] Any place where God may choose to display his judgments against his enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _PUT YE IN THE SICKLE_] The destruction of his enemies is represented here under the metaphor of reaping down the harvest; and of gathering the grapes, and treading them in the wine-presses.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _MULTITUDES, MULTITUDES_] המנים המנים _hamonim, hamonim,_ _crowds upon crowds_, in _the valley of decision_, or _excision_: the same as the valley of Jehoshaphat, the place where God is to execute judgment on his enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _THE SUN AND THE MOON SHALL BE DARKENED_] High and mighty states shall be eclipsed, and brought to ruin, and the _stars _- petty states, princes, and governors-_shall withdraw their_ _shining_; withhold their _influence_ and _tribute_ from the kingdoms to which they have belonged, and set... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _THE LORD ALSO SHALL ROAR OUT OF ZION_] His temple and worship shall be re-established there, and he will thence denounce his judgments against the nations. "The heavens and the earth shall shake." There shall be great commotions in powerful empires and their dependencies; but in all these... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _SO SHALL YE KNOW _] By the judgments I execute on your enemies, and the support I give to yourselves, that I am the all-conquering Jehovah; and that I have again taken up my residence in Jerusalem. All this may refer, ultimately, to the restoration of the Jews to their own land; when _hol... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _IN THAT DAY_] After their return from their captivities. _THE MOUNTAINS SHALL DROP DOWN NEW WINE_] A poetic expression for great fertility. Happy times: peace and plenty. The vines shall grow luxuriantly on the sides of the mountains; and the hills shall produce such rich pastures that t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _EGYPT SHALL BE A DESOLATION_] While peace, plenty, and prosperity of every kind, shall crown my people, all their _enemies_ shall be as a _wilderness_; and those who have _used violence_ against the saints of God, and _shed the blood of innocents_ (of the holy MARTYRS) _in their land_, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joel 3:20. _BUT JUDAH SHALL DWELL FOR EVER_] The true Church of Christ shall be supported, while all false and persecuting Churches shall be annihilated. The promise may also belong to the full and final restoration of the Jews, when they shall dwell at Jerusalem as a distinct people professin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joel 3:21. _FOR I WILL CLEANSE THEIR BLOOD_] נקיתי _nikkeythi, I will_ _avenge_ the slaughter and martyrdom of my people, which I have not _yet avenged_. Persecuting _nations_ and persecuting _Churches_ shall all come, sooner or later, under the stroke of vindictive justice. _FOR THE LORD DWE... [ Continue Reading ]