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 the deliverance from Babylon: but spiritually it must be referred to Christs judgements upon the enemies of his Church, by him delivered, and especially, at the last and universall deliverance; namely, At his last comming.

Joel 3:2

All Nations] namely; The wicked Nations, which are enemies to me The valley] This valley is not mentioned any where else: some believe, that it is That which is called the valley of Blessing: 2 Cron. 20. 26. where Jehosaphat blessed the Lord, when he had discomfited his enemies. Others doe firmly hold; that betweene the mount of Olives, and the city of Jerusalem towards the East; there was a low valley of that name: and so the Prophet sheweth that the enemies shall be judged, as it were, in the sight of the Church: Isaiah 66:1-24. 4.

Joel 3:4

What have yee] It lieth not in your powers to give me satisfaction, for the spoyles and wrongs which you have done my people; therefore you must beare the punishment thereof in your persons, according to the Lawes for theft; Exodus 22:3.

Joel 3:8

For the Lord] The sentence is past; and it is not now to be avoyded.

Joel 3:9

Proclaime] An ironicall challenge to all Christs enemies: for to doe the uttermost of their power against him and his Church; that they may all be overcome, and overthrowne: See Isaiah 8:9-10. Revelation 16:14.

Joel 3:11

Thy mighty men] namely; The holy Angels, who are thine armies, to discomfit thine enemies: See Revelation 12:7.

Joel 3:13

Put yee in] O yee Angels! It is time to execute my judgements; for the malice of the world is growne to its height.

Joel 3:15

The Sunne] Signes which shall goe before the last judgement: Matthew 24:29. Luke 21:25.

Joel 3:16

Shall roare] Summoning, as it were, with a terrible cry; all the world to appeare before him: see Jeremiah 25:30. Amos 1:2 Out of Sion] namely, out of the seat of his glory; the representation of which; was formerly in the Sanctuary: See Hebrews 12:22 But the Lord] See Luke 21:28.

Joel 3:17

Be holy] My Church shall be cleansed from all pollution and mixture of hypocrites and prophane people: Isaiah 35:8. Revelation 21:27.

Joel 3:18

The mountaines] A figurative description of the good and happinesse of eternall life: Psal. 36. 8 The valley] A place in the land of Moab: Numb. 25. 1. Joshua 2:1. Micah 6:5. which was very desart and dry, by reason that it stood so neere the lake of Sodom: See the expression of this, upon Ezek. 4. 7. 1. 8.

Joel 3:19

Egypt] namely; All the Churches enemies.

Joel 3:20

Judah] namely; The true Believers, and Elect gathered up into heaven.

Joel 3:21

Cleanse] I will perfectly sanctifie my Church from all her imperfections and spots of sinne, which yet remained in her in this world.