Joel 3

Joel 3:1

IN those dayes] This in part, and figuratively may be understood of Gods vengeance upon the enemies of his people, after their deliverance from Babylon. But spiritually it may be referred to Christs judgements upon the enemies of the Church, by him delivered, and especially at the last and universall deliverance at his last coming.

Joel 3:2

gather all nations] The wicked nations which are enemies to me.

into the valley of Jehosaphat] This valley is not mentioned elsewhere. Some beleeve that it is that which is called the valley of blessing, 2 Chronicles 20:26. where Jehosaphat blessed the Lord when he had discomfited his enemies. Also he hath respect to this word Jehosaphat, which signifieth pleading, or judgement; because God would judge the enemies of his Church as he did there. Others do firmely beleeve that between the Mount of Olives, and the citie of Jerusalem toward the East, there was a low valley of that name; and that so the Prophet sheweth that the enemies shall be judged, as it were, in the sight of the Church, Isaiah 66:24.

Joel 3:3

a harlot] That which the enemy gat for the sale of my people, he bestowed upon harlots and drink.

Joel 3:4

what have ye to do with me] He taketh the cause of his Church in hand against the enemie, as though the injurie were done to himself.

a recompence] Have I done you wrong that you will render me the like? Or, It lieth not in your power to give me satisfaction, for the spoiles and wrongs which ye have done my people: therefore you must beare the punishment thereof in your persons, according to the law for theft, Exodus 22:3.

Joel 3:5

pleasant things] Heb. defireable.

Joel 3:6

the Grecians] Heb. the sonnes of the Grecians.

Joel 3:8

and they shall sell them] For afterward God sold them by Nebuchadnezzar, and Alexander the Great, for the love he bare to his people, and thereby they were comforted as though the price had been theirs.

the LORD hath spoken it] The sentence is past, and it is not now to be avoided.

Joel 3:9

Proclaime ye this] An ironicall challenge to all Christs enemies, for to do the uttermost of their power against him and his Church, that they may all be overcome and overthrowne. See Isa. 8. 9, 10. Apoc. 16. 14.

prepare] Heb. sanctifie.

Joel 3:10

Beat your plough-shares into swords] Isaiah 2:4. When I shall execute my judgements against mine enemies, I will cause every one to be ready, and to prepare their weapons to destroy one another for my Churches sake.

pruning-hookes] Or, sithes.

Joel 3:11

cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD] Or, the LORD shall bring down. Namely, the holy Angels, who are thine armies to discomfit thine enemies. See Psalms 103:20. Apoc. 12. 7.

Joel 3:13

Put ye in the sickle] Revelation 14:15. 18. O ye Angels, it is time to execute my judgements, for the malice of the world is grown to its height.

Joel 3:14

Multitudes] Multitudes of slain enemies.

decision] Or, concision, or threshing. Or of threshing: for so the word is used, Isaiah 28:27. & Isaiah 41:15. naming the place so from the event; alluding to the valley of Jehosaphat, where in time past he threshed the Moabites and Ammonites.

Joel 3:15

sunne and the moon shall be darkened] Chap. 2. 31. Signs also foregoing the last judgement, Matthew 24:29. Luke 21:25.

Joel 3:16

rore out] Jeremiah 25:30. Amos 1:2. Summoning, as it were, with a terrible cry all the world to appeare before him. See Jeremiah 25:30. Amos 1:2.

of Zion] Out of the seat of his glory, whose representation was formerly in the Sanctuarie. See Hebrews 12:22.

hope] Heb. place of repaire, or harbour.

of his people] He assureth his against all troubles, that when he destroyeth his enemies, his children shall be delivered. See Luke 21:28.

Joel 3:17

be holy] Heb. holinesse. My Church shall be cleansed from all pollution, and mixture of hypocrites and profane people, Isaiah 35:8. Apoc. 21. 27.

through her any more] The strangers shall no more destroy his Church: which if they do, it is the people, which by their sinnes make the breach for the enemie.

Joel 3:18

the mountains shall] He promiseth to his Church abundance of graces, Ezekiel 47:1. Revelation 21:1. which would water and comfort the most barren places, Amos 9:13. Others say, a figurative description of the good and happinesse of eternall life, Psalms 36:8.

flow] Heb. go.

a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD] Ezekiel 47:1. Zechariah 14:8. Revelation 22:1.

valley of Shittim] A place in the land of Moab, Numbers 25:1. Joshua 2:1. Micah 6:5. which was desert and dry, by reason it stood so neere the lake of Sodome. See the exposition of this upon Ezekiel 47:1. 8.

Joel 3:19

Egypt shall be a desolation] Namely, all the Churches enemies.

Joel 3:20

Judah shall dwell for ever] Or, abide. The true beleevers and elect.

Joel 3:21

I will cleanse their bloud] He had suffered his Church hitherto to be in their filthinesse; but now he promiseth to cleanse them, and to make them pure unto him.

for the LORD dwelleth in Zion] Or, even I the LORD that dwelleth in Zion. Revelation 21:3.