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JOEL 3

Old Testament Studies
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PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

NASB NKJV NRSV TEV NJB [follows MT]
The Nations Will Be Judged God Judges the Nations
(all poetry)		 The Day of the LORD
(2:28-3:21)		 God Will Judge the Nations The Judgment of the Nations
    2:30-3:3
(prose)		   3:1-17 [4:1-7]
(all poetry)
3:1-8
(1-3 poetry)		 3:1-3   3:1-15
(1-3 poetry)		 The Judgment Announced
3:1-3 [4:1-3]
        Charges Against the Phoenicians and Philistines
(4-8 prose) 3:4-8
(4-6)		 3:4-8
(prose)		 (4-8 prose) 3:4-8 [4:4-8]
  (7-8)     A Summons to the Nations
3:9-14 [4:9-14]
3:9-17
(poetry)		 3:9-17
(9-11)		 3:9-12
(poetry)
(9-10)		 (9-11a poetry)  
    (11) (11b, poetry)  
  (12-13) (12) (12-13, poetry)  
    3:13-17,
(poetry)
(13)		    
  (14-16) (14-15) (14-15, poetry) The Day of Yahweh
        3:15-17 [4:15-17]
(15-16a)
    (16) God Will Bless His People
3:16-21
(poetry)
(16-18)		 (16b)
  (17) (17)   (17)
Judah Will Be Blessed God Blesses His People     The Glorious Future of Israel
3:18-21
(poetry)		 3:18-21
(18)		 3:18-21
(poetry)
(18)		   3:18-21 [4:18-21]
  (19-21) (19-21) (19-21)  

READING CYCLE THREE (see
“Bible Interpretation
Seminar”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR’S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the four translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author’s intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph 

2. Second paragraph

3. Etc.

BACKGROUND

A. The book of Joel is divided into two halves: Joel 1:2-2:17, God’s judgment of His people, and
Joel 2:18-3:21, God’s restoration of His repentant people and judgment on their oppressors. It is obvious that we are breaking into a literary context as we begin
Joel 3. The literary context of this chapter is the eschatological event of Joel 2:28-32 where God pours out His Spirit on all mankind in the end-time.

B. Joel 3 is a drama drawn from different OT texts: Psalm 43, the prophets of Amos, Isaiah and Zechariah 9-14.

C. Many modern commentators have asserted that Joel 3:4-8 are a later assertion because they are prose while the rest of chapter 3 is poetry. However, this structural analysis seems to be modern and presuppositional in my opinion.

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JOEL 3:1-8
 1“For behold, in those days and at that time,
 When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
 2I will gather all the nations
 And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.
 Then I will enter into judgment with them there
 On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel,
 Whom they have scattered among the nations;
 And they have divided up My land.
 3They have also cast lots for My people,
 Traded a boy for a harlot
 And sold a girl for wine that they may drink.
 4“Moreover, what are you to Me, O Tyre, Sidon and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering Me a recompense? But if you do recompense Me, swiftly and speedily I will return your recompense on your head. 5Since you have taken My silver and My gold, brought My precious treasures to your temples, 6and sold the sons of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks in order to remove them far from their territory, 7behold, I am going to arouse them from the place where you have sold them, and return your recompense on your head. 8Also I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the sons of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a distant nation,” for the Lord has spoken.

3:1 “in those days and at that time” This refers to the eschatological event of Joel 2:28-32.

NASB, NRSV, NJB, JPSOA   ”I will restore the fortunes”
NKJV   ”I will bring back the captives”
TEV   ”I will restore the prosperity”
REB   ”I will reverse the fortunes”

The Septuagint, Peshita, and King James have “I shall bring again the captivity.” However,
context seems to demand a positive statement (i.e., bring Judah and Jerusalem back from exile, e.g., Deut. 30:3)
rather than a negative one (cf. NIV’s translation). Other places where this phrase is used are Jer. 30:18
and 32:44.

The VERB (BDB 996, KB 1427) is a Qal IMPERFECT, but Jewish
scribes recognized a problem and read it as a Hiphil imperfect.

The kethiv (“what is written,” i.e., the MT text) has “return the captivity” (i.e.,
“the captives,” cf. Jer. 30:18; 32:44), while the qere (“what is read,” i.e., the suggestions of the
Masoretic scholars) has “restore the fortunes,” cf. Job 42:10; Hosea 6:11; Zeph. 3:20.

▣ “Judah and Jerusalem” It is obvious from reading Joel 3:1 and 2 in context that God is asserting
His ownership of the Promised Land and His promise to the descendants of Abraham (cf. Gen. 12:1-3; 15:1,18;
17:1-5). In Joel 3:2 he uses the word “Israel” to describe Judah and Jerusalem, which are mentioned in Joel 3:1.
This shows me that we are in a post-exilic period where Israel has become the collective name for the returning
people of God, not the northern ten tribes.

3:2 “I will gather the nations” The “nations” (i.e., all humanity) has always been the focus of God’s
activity (cf. Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7; 3:15; 12:3; Exod. 19:5). Because of human sin and rebellion the nations are
dealt with in two ways:

  1. judgment, Psalm 2 (see Acts 4:25-26); 46; 83; Isa. 66:18-24; Ezekiel 32; 38; 39; Zeph. 3:8; Zech. 14:2
  2. salvation, Isa. 42:5-9; 45:22-23; 49:6; 51:4-8; 56:6-8; 60:1-3; Zeph. 3:9

Peter’s use of Joel 2:28-32 shows the priority of #2. If there is only one God, if He created the
world for fellowship with humans, if humans are made uniquely in the image and likeness of God, then God
chose Abraham to choose all humanity, not just part of it!

Note the VERBS: YHWH “will gather” (BDB 867, KB 1062, Piel
PERFECT), the nations “scattered” (BDB 808, KB 921, Piel perfect). In reality
it was YHWH who did both! The exile of God’s people was allowed/engineered by YHWH Himself. The nations are
His instruments of judgment as well as the object of judgment! Not only this, but they are the focus of salvation.

Special Topic: YHWH’s Eternal Redemptive
Plan

▣ “bring them down” This VERB (BDB 432, KB 434, Hiphil PERFECT)
is used

  1. literally of YHWH bringing someone into a physical valley
  2. figuratively of YHWH bringing low (i.e., judging, cf. Isa. 10:13; 43:14; Jer. 49:16; 51:40;
    Ezek. 26:20; Hosea 7:12; Amos 9:2; Obadiah v. 4)

▣ “the valley of Jehoshaphat” His name means “YHWH judges” (BDB 221). I personally believe that
this is not so much a geographical location related to King Jehoshaphat as it is a play on the word “Jehoshaphat.”
We see a similar designation in Joel 3:14, “the valley of decision.”

Some visitors to Jerusalem in 333 A.D. record that the Kidron Valley was known
as the valley of Jehoshaphat, but Eusebius, an early church historian, says that it was specifically the
valley of the sons of Hinnom (just south of Jerusalem).

▣ “I will enter into judgment with them there” This refers to the very army that YHWH has brought
against His own people (i.e., Assyria, Babylon). YHWH uses these foreign armies for His purposes, but they
are responsible for their acts. YHWH is in control of human history for His purposes! If this is true
(and I believe it is) then all history is a result of human rebellion (cf. Genesis 3) and God’s plan to
restore it!

▣ “My people and My inheritance, Israel” This is a series of three covenant terms. God used the
family of Abraham to

  1. reveal Himself to the nations
  2. bring the Messiah into the world

The benefits (and responsibilities) of these chosen, covenant people are spelled out in Romans 9.

“My inheritance” alludes to YHWH’s unique ownership of the Promised Land (cf. Lev. 25:23;
Isa. 14:25; Jer. 2:7; Ezek. 36:5; 38:16; Joel 1:6; 3:2). In a sense, all lands belong to YHWH by means of
creation, but for His redemptive, Messianic purposes, Palestine is uniquely His land (cf. Gen. 12:1,7; 13:15;
15:18; and its NT interpretation in Gal. 3:16).

▣ “they” The sins of the invaders are listed in the following verses:

  1. scattered Israel among the nations
  2. divided up and cast lots for Israel’s land
  3. turned Israel into slaves
  4. robbed YHWH’s temple of its treasures

3:3 “also cast lots for My people” This (BDB 391, KB 388, Qal PERFECT) refers to
ancient slave trade (cf. historical references: Homer’s Odyssey 15:463-84; Heroditus’s
Persian Wars 1:1; 2:54, 56; biblical references: Obadiah 11; Nahum 3:10). It is alluded to in Gen. 37:36;
Ezek. 27:13; Joel 3:6-8; Amos 1:6.

▣ “traded a boy for a harlot” The Peshitta has “for a harlot’s hire,” which seems to be the thrust
of this verse (cf. Deut. 28:68). This verse highlights the greed and immorality of the invaders. They saw
no value in the lives of God’s people (cf. Amos 2:6; 8:6).

3:4-8 This is a prose section surrounded by poetry. It is addressed to Israel’s enemies. Their abuse
of Israel was, in a sense, an abuse of God (i.e., Matt. 25:40; Acts 9:4; 22:7; 26:14; 1 Cor. 8:12).

3:4 “Me” Notice the FIRST PERSON PRONOUNS in the NASB translation of this section
(i.e., Joel 3:1-8). The prophet is speaking for YHWH (i.e., “the Lord has spoken,” Joel 3:8):

  1. “I,” Joel 3:1,2 (twice),8
  2. “My,” Joel 3:2 (thrice),3,5 (thrice)
  3. “Me,” Joel 3:4 (thrice)

There is an interchange of persons (i.e., THIRD PERSON, FIRST PERSON) in
this chapter:

  1. YHWH speaks, Joel 3:1-8
  2. the prophet speaks on YHWH’s behalf, Joel 3:9-11
  3. YHWH speaks, Joel 3:12-13
  4. the prophet speaks on YHWH’s behalf, Joel 3:14-16
  5. YHWH speaks, Joel 3:17-21

It is uncertain how the inspired biblical author received his revelation from the Spirit. It seems
the mechanisms were not standard, but fluid (i.e., dreams, visions, direct speech, angelic messengers,
current events, precious Scripture).

▣ “swiftly and speedily” These two terms (BDB 886, and 555) are also used in Isa. 5:26, which speaks
of the speed and strength of the Babylonian army (cf. Isa. 5:26-30), summoned by YHWH for Israel’s judgment.
But now as they did to others, it will be done to them! This is a typical reversal. Evil plans often return
to the planners; righteousness will prevail in the end! This phrase is an idiom of this truth (i.e., we reap
what we sow, cf. Gal. 6:7).

▣ “recompense” This PARTICIPLE (BDB 1022, KB 1532, Piel
PARTICIPLE) means to restore (cf. Joel 2:25) or require in judgment (cf. Deut. 7:9-10;
Jer. 51:24,56). The best parallel passage is Isa. 65:1-7, where the truth of God’s love for all people
becomes the very ground for His judgment on the nations. He reached out to them, but they rejected Him!
God loves the nations and is trying to reach them through Israel, but instead of salvation, their
self-centered idolatry resulted in judgment.

3:5 “Since you have taken My silver and My gold, brought My precious treasures to your temples”

These phrases speak of the common ancient Near East practice of defeated people’s temple treasures
(BDB 326) being taken to the victor’s national temple as a visible token of the superiority of the victor’s deity.

If, as I think, this reflects Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest of Judah, then the items of YHWH’s
temple in Jerusalem were taken in 586 B.C. to the temple of Marduk in Babylon and put
on display (note, 2 Kgs. 24:13; 25:15; Dan. 5:2).

It is surprising that “temples” (BDB 228) is plural. Possibly the Babylonians gave some of
the temple treasures to the other national armies who were part of the Babylonian army (e.g., Edom spoken
of in Obadiah).

The other option is to see the Hebrew word “temples” as referring to “palaces”
(cf. Isa. 13:22; Hosea 8:14; Amos 8:3).

3:6 “sold the sons of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks” Amos 1:6-9 speaks of the slave trade of Gaza
and Tyre. The mention of the term “Greeks” has caused concern for many commentators related to the date of
Joel: (l) some say that it is a metaphor for far-off peoples and (2) others assert that it refers to the
nation of Greece (cf. Gen. 10:2, 4). See Gleason Archer, Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, p. 296.

3:7 This verse is reminiscent of Joel 3:4. Two Hiphil VERBALS describe YHWH’s action:

  1. one in deliverance, “I am going to arouse them (Israelites sold as slaves),” BDB 734, KB 802,
    Hiphil PARTICIPLE
  2. one in judgment, “I will return your recompense on your head,” BDB 996, KB 1427, Hiphil
    PERFECT

Again we see the common theological theme of role reversal (cf. Joel 3:8)!

3:8 “Also I will sell your sons and your daughters” God gives to them what they gave to others. We learn
from history that the city of Sidon was captured and sold into slavery by Antiochus III in 345 B.C.
We also learn that the cities of Tyre and Gaza were captured and sold into slavery by Alexander II, “the Great,”
in 332 B.C. The Judeans were sold to a power to the northwest, but the sea people would be
sold to a power of the southeastern desert, the Sabeans (BDB 985).

▣ “the Sabeans” This (BDB 985) refers to Arab traders who controlled the eastern trade routes until they
were overthrown by the Mineans who became the dominant power in southern Arabia around the 400’s
B.C. The Queen of Sheba was a member of this tribal identity (cf. Ps. 72:10 Jer. 6:20
and Ezek. 27:22).

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JOEL 3:9-17
 9Proclaim this among the nations:
 Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men!
 Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up!
 10Beat your plowshares into swords
 And your pruning hooks into spears;
 Let the weak say, “I am a mighty man.”
 11Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations,
 And gather yourselves there.
 Bring down, O Lord, Your mighty ones.
 12Let the nations be aroused
 And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat,
 For there I will sit to judge
 All the surrounding nations.
 13Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.
 Come, tread, for the wine press is full;
 The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.
 14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
 For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
 15The sun and moon grow dark
 And the stars lose their brightness.
 16The Lord roars from Zion
 And utters His voice from Jerusalem,
 And the heavens and the earth tremble.
 But the Lord is a refuge for His people
 And a stronghold to the sons of Israel.
 17Then you will know that I am the Lord your God,
 Dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain.
 So Jerusalem will be holy,
 And strangers will pass through it no more.

3:9-13 A final end-time attack of the kingdoms of this world against the kingdom of our God and His
Christ is mentioned over and over again in Scripture (cf. Psalm 2; Isa. 8:9, 14; 17:12-14; Ezek. 38-39; Zech. 12-14;
Rev. 16:14-16; 19:17-19).

This call to arms has several commands:

  1. “proclaim this among the nations,” Joel 3:9, BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal
    IMPERATIVE, cf. Isa. 40:6; Amos 3:6
  2. “prepare a war” (i.e., “consecrate,” cf. Joel 1:14; 2:15), Joel 3:9, BDB 872, KB 1073, Piel
    IMPERATIVE, cf. Jos. 7:13; Jer. 6:4; 22:7; 51:27-28
  3. “rouse the mighty men.” Joel 3:9, BDB 734, KB 802, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, cf. Isa. 41:2,25;
    Jer. 50:9; 51:1
  4. “Let all the soldiers draw near,” Joel 3:9, BDB 620, KB 670, Qal
    IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, cf. Jer. 46:3
  5. “Let them come up,” Joel 3:9, BDB 748, KB 828, Qal IMPERFECT used in
    a JUSSIVE sense, cf. Isa. 7:6; 36:10; Jer. 48:18
  6. “Beat your plowshares into swords,” Joel 3:10, BDB 510, KB 507, Qal IMPERATIVE,
    usually the opposite, Isa. 2:4; Mic. 4:3
  7. “Let the weak say,” Joel 3:10, BDB 55, KB 65, Qal IMPERFECT used in
    a JUSSIVE sense
  8. “Hasten” (i.e., “lend aid”), Joel 3:11, BDB 736, KB 804, Qal IMPERATIVE, found
    only here in the OT
  9. “Come,” Joel 3:11, BDB 97, KB 112, Qal IMPERATIVE (used in sense of “come and
    join with”)
  10. “gather yourselves there,” the MT has a Niphal PERFECT (BDB 867, KB 1062), but
    it could also be a Niphal IMPERATIVE, which would match the series
    of IMPERATIVES in 9:9-13
  11. “Bring down,” Joel 3:11, BDB 639, KB 692, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, the Hiphil is
    found only here and refers to YHWH’s mighty army, cf. Isa. 13:3
  12. “Let the nations be aroused,” Joel 3:12, BDB 734, KB 802, Niphal IMPERFECT used
    in a JUSSIVE sense, similar to Joel 3:9
  13. “Come up,” Joel 3:12, BDB 748, KB 828, same as Joel 3:9
  14. “Put in the sickle,” Joel 3:13, BDB 1018, KB 1511, Qal IMPERATIVE (i.e., the
    harvest of judgment is ripe, cf. Jer. 51:33)
  15. “Come,” Joel 3:13, BDB 97, KB 112, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Joel 3:11, used of YHWH
    coming down in judgment (“day of the Lord,” Joel 3:12-14)
  16. “tread” (i.e., “come down”), Joel 3:13, BDB 432, KB 434, Qal IMPERATIVE (or
    possibly from BDB 921, KB 1190 I) used of YHWH coming down in judgment (“day of the
    Lord,” Joel 3:12-14)

3:10 “Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears” This is exactly the opposite
of the eschatological peace which was promised in Isa. 2:4 and Micah 4:3. Violence precedes peace
(cf. Matthew 24; Luke 21; Mark 13).

Special Topic: Peace and War

▣ “Let the weak say, ‘I am a mighty man,'” In context this refers to agricultural workers who are
now called on to be soldiers (opposite of Deut. 20:8). This shows the all-out military effort of the kingdoms
of this world. In Zech. 12:8 this same metaphor is used, but of the people of God.

3:11 “Bring down, O Lord, Thy mighty ones” This may refer to the invisible
angelic army of God in 2 Kgs. 6:16, 17; Zech. 14:5, (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 811-812). Other allusions to God’s
army of angels are found in Deut. 33:2, 3; Matt. 16:27; 25:31; Mark 8:38; 2 Thess. 1:7; and Rev. 19:14.

However, because of Isa. 13:3 it may refer to human armies (i.e., Cyrus, cf. Isa. 44:28-45:7)
used by YHWH.

3:13-14 There are three agricultural metaphors used to describe God’s judgment:

  1. the sickle (BDB 618)
  2. treading grapes (BDB 432)
  3. “to drag over a threshing floor” which is the etymological background for the term “decision” (BDB 358)
    used in verse 14 (twice)

The sickle is mentioned in Isa. 63:1-6, while the treading of the grapes is mentioned of judgment in
Micah 4:12-13. Both metaphors are mentioned in Rev. 14:15,18,20.

3:13 “the vats overflow” The parallelism clearly shows this is a metaphor of evil:

  1. the wine press is full
  2. the vats overflow
  3. their wickedness is great

This same VERB (BDB 1003 II, KB 1448, Hiphil PERFECT) is used
in Joel 2:24 to describe YHWH’s restoration of covenant blessing (cf. Deuteronomy 28), but here to describe
the extent of the evil of the nations! The nations reap judgment, but the covenant people reap blessing
(cf. Joel 3:18-21).

3:14 “Multitudes, multitudes” This large army is described in Isa. 34:2-8.

▣ “For the day of the Lord is near” The time element is the crucial
question. It can be explained in light of prophetic literature taking a current event (i.e., locust plague,
cf. Joel 1:15) and projecting it into the future (end-time battle between the nations and the nation of God,
cf. Joel 2:1; 3:14). For a good discussion, see Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 327-328.

Special Topic: Soon Return

▣ “the valley of decision” This is possibly the valley mentioned in Zech. 14:4. See notes at Joel 3:2.

3:15 “The sun and moon grow dark” This is apocalyptic language to describe God’s coming to His creation
(cf. Joel 2:10, 31; Isa. 13:10; Jer. 4:23; Ezek. 32:8; Zech. 14:6). The permanent creation is permanent no
longer. Time is no more!

▣ “the stars lose their brightness” This VERB (BDB 62, KB 74, Qal
PERFECT) is used both here and in Joel 2:10 in a context that demands diminishing, yet
the word is not ordinarily used in this sense. It usually refers to gathering at harvest time or YHWH
gathering His people back to Palestine.

Here apparently it has the connotation of “taking away” (i.e., harvesting) the light of the
stars to match the darkening of the sun and moon.

3:16 “The Lord roars from Zion” Since I hold to a late post-exilic date, I
believe that Joel quotes Amos (cf. Amos 1:2; also note Jer. 25:31).

Special Topic: Lions in the OT

NASB   ”the heavens and the earth tremble”
NKJV, Peshitta   ”the heavens and the earth will shake”
NRSV   ”the heavens and the earth shake”
TEV, NJB   ”earth and sky tremble”
REB   ”heaven and earth shudder”
LXX   ”heaven and earth will be shaken”

Heavens and earth are the two inclusive objects of Elohim’s creation in Gen. 1:1.
Therefore, they are the two oldest and most permanent aspects of creation.

Their trembling is noted in Joel 2:10. It occurs

  1. at YHWH coming to Mt. Sinai, Exod. 19:18; Ps. 68:8
  2. at YHWH coming from Seir, Jdg. 5:4
  3. at YHWH’s anger, 2 Sam. 22:8-9; Isa. 13:13; Jer. 51:29
  4. at YHWH’s eschatological coming, Joel 2:10; 3:16; Haggai 2:6 (also note Hab. 3:6)

The “trembling” (BDB 950, KB 1271, Qal PERFECT) in the NT denotes the New Age,
New Kingdom, New People that are not to be shaken (cf. Heb. 12:26-28; Isa. 54:10).

▣ “But the Lord is a refuge for His people” This term “refuge”
(BDB 340, KB 337; see
Special Topic: Refuge) is used
often of the safety to be found in YHWH.

  1. the VERB, 2 Sam. 22:3; Ps. 2:12; 5:11; 7:1; 11:1; 16:1; 18:2; 25:20; 31:1,19;
    34:8,22; 37:40; 57:1; 64:10; 71:1; 118:8,9; 141:8; 144:2; Isa. 57:13
  2. the NOUN, Ps. 14:6; 46:1; 61:4; 62:7,8; 71:7; 73:28: 91:2,9; 142:5; Pro. 14:26;
    Isa. 4:6; 25:4; 32:2; Jer. 17:17

For me, Ps. 18:1-3 and 91:1-4 are the best series of metaphors describing YHWH’s protection and
care to those who know Him and trust Him and obey Him!

▣ “And a stronghold to the sons of Israel” This is another wonderful metaphor of God’s protection
(BDB 731). “Refuge” and “stronghold” are both found in Ps. 31:2,5; 37:39,40; Isa. 25:4; Nahum 1:7. It is also
found in Ps. 27:1; 28:8; 43:2; 52:7; Isa. 17:10; 27:5; Jer. 16:19. Our strength and protection are in YHWH
and in Him alone!

3:17 “Then you will know that I am the Lord your God” This emphasizes the
personal relationship involved in the Covenant between YHWH and His people (see note at Joel 2:27). This
emphasis on personal relationship in the word “know” (BDB 393, KB 390, Qal PERFECT) can be
seen in Gen. 4:1 and Jer. 1:5.

The term “Lord” is YHWH (BDB 217); the term translated “God”
is Elohim (BDB 43). These names hold theological significance.

Special Topic: Names for
Deity, C. and D.

▣ “Zion My holy mountain

So Jerusalem will be holy”

Notice the parallelism: (1) Zion = Jerusalem and (2) holy mountain = temple (Mt. Moriah).
Jerusalem is holy because of the personal presence of YHWH. His temple (esp. the Ark of the Covenant) is
the special place where heaven and earth meet. YHWH symbolically dwelt between the wings of the
Cherubim on the lid (mercy seat) of the Ark. Heaven was His dwelling place, but the Ark was
His footstool.

Special Topic: Ark of
the Covenant

Special Topic: Moriah, Salem, Jebus,
Zion, Jerusalem

▣ “And strangers will pass through it no more” This is an emphasis on no more military invasions
(cf. Isa. 52:1; Nahum 1:15; Zech. 9:8; 1 Peter 1:4).

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JOEL 3:18-21
 18And in that day
 The mountains will drip with sweet wine,
 And the hills will flow with milk,
 And all the brooks of Judah will flow with water;
 And a spring will go out from the house of the Lord
 To water the valley of Shittim.
 19Egypt will become a waste,
 And Edom will become a desolate wilderness,
 Because of the violence done to the sons of Judah,
 In whose land they have shed innocent blood.
 20But Judah will be inhabited forever
 And Jerusalem for all generations.
 21And I will avenge their blood which I have not avenged,
 For the Lord dwells in Zion.

3:18 “it will come about in that day” This metaphor of a special “day” dominates Joel. In Joel 1:1-2:17
it is a day of invasion and destruction because of Israel’s sin, but in Joel 2:28-3:21 it becomes a day of
renewal and restoration. This fluctuation illustrates that the coming of YHWH can be for judgment or blessing.
Believers’ lifestyle faith determines which one! YHWH wants a holy people to reflect His character to the world.
In the end-time this redemptive purpose will be fulfilled and God’s people will be changed and prepared for an
eternal fellowship with the one and only creator, redeemer, covenant-making God!

▣ “the mountains will drip with sweet wine” This end-time restoration is also seen in Isaiah 35;
Amos 9:13-15; and Ezekiel 47. On “sweet wine,” see the following Special Topic.

Special Topic: Alcohol and Alcohol
Abuse

▣ “And all the brooks of Judah will flow with water” There will be seasonal and abundant rain
(cf. Joel 2:23), which is the opposite of chapter 1.

Special Topic: Waters

▣ “And a spring will go out from the house of the Lord“ This is a common
eschatological motif (cf. Ps. 46:4; 65:9-13; Ezek. 47:1-12; Zech. 14:8; Rev. 22:1, 2). Water is a sign of the
blessings and presence of God (e.g., Ps. 36:5-9; Isa. 12:3).

▣ “To water the valley of Shittim” This means “wadi of Acacias” (BDB 1008). Shittim is a place name,
but it is on the eastern side of the Jordan River opposite Jericho and, therefore, cannot be the focus of this
passage. Therefore, this is another metaphor of agricultural abundance; even the deserts will be well watered
and bloom!

Special Topic: Acacia Wood

3:19 “Egypt. . .Edom will become a desolate wilderness” There has been much discussion as to whether this
was to have been fulfilled historically or if these countries are simply traditional enemies used in an
eschatological end-time sense (God’s people blessed, unbelievers cursed). It is my opinion that they are
traditional enemies used in a symbolic way.

The specific mention of Edom, a much smaller nation than Egypt, probably relates directly to
Obadiah (esp. Joel 3:10).

3:20 “Judah will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem for all generations” This has not been fulfilled
historically, which seems to make it eschatological (i.e., Amos 9:15). There is some wonderment today whether
the current state of Israel is God’s fulfillment of ancient prophecy. I must admit that I have some doubts.
However, God uses who and what He wants to accomplish His redemptive purposes!

My doubts about the modern state of Israel being the fulfillment of OT national prophecies are:

  1. The modern state of Israel is made up mostly of proselyte Jews, not ethnic Jews (i.e., Russian and
    European Jews are from the European Kahzar conversion in the Middle Ages
    (740 A.D.). Therefore, the promises to Abraham and his seed of Genesis 12, 15, 17 cannot
    be racial, but must be a faith issue (cf. Rom. 2:28-29).
  2. The OT covenantal promises are made to a believing, faithful remnant. They are conditional promises! If
    the NT is God’s revelation and Jesus is God’s Messiah, then modern Israel is not believing Israel
    (e.g., Zech. 12:10; Romans 9-11; Galatians 3). See
    Special Topic: Why are
    OT Covenant Promises so Different from NT Covenant Promises?    .
3:21
NASB   ”And I will avenge their blood which I have not avenged”
NKJV   ”For I will acquit them of bloodguilt, whom I had not acquitted”
NRSV   ”I will avenge their blood, and I will not clear the guilty”
TEV   ”I will avenge those who were killed, I will not spare the guilty”
NJB   ”I shall avenge their blood and let none go unpunished”
LXX   ”I will make inquisition for their blood, and will by no means leave it unavenged”
Peshitta   ”For I will avenge their blood, and I will not absolve the offenders”
REB   ”I shall avenge their blood, the blood I have not yet avenged”
JPSOA   ”Thus I will treat as innocent blood which I have not treated as innocent”

This is a very difficult verse to translate (cf. The Bible in Twenty-six Translations
for a multiplicity of English translations of this ambiguous Hebrew phrase).

The MT Hebrew text has the VERB (BDB 667, KB 720, Piel
PERFECT) meaning

  1. “hold innocent” or “acquit,” cf. Job 9:28; 10:14; Ps. 19:13
  2. “leave unpunished,” cf. Exod. 20:7; Deut. 5:11; Jer. 30:11; 46:28

Some translations prefer (BDB 667, KB 721) the meaning “avenge,” cf. 2 Kgs. 9:7; Jer. 51:36.
In context, the “shed innocent blood” of Joel 3:19 must relate to Joel 3:21. Either the Israelites will be
forgiven or the invading armies will be held accountable. Whichever it is, Israel is restored and established!

▣ “For the Lord dwells in Zion” (cf. Joel 2:27). The term “dwells”
(BDB 1014, KB 1496, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) is from the same root as Shekinah.
God dwelling with His people is the emphasis of Genesis 1 and also Rev. 21:3 (also note Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23;
John 14:23).

Special Topic: Zion

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.

1. Has this restoration already occurred or is it future?

2. Is this restoration referring to racial Jews only, or is the Church somehow included?

3. When, where and how will the end-time battle occur?

4. Why has there been so much disagreement and controversy over this subject?

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