Joel 3 Study Notes

3:1-2 Moses predicted that the Jewish people would be scattered among the nations, and that when they came to their senses and returned to God, he would restore them to their land and cause them to prosper (Dt 30:1-10). Sometime after this the Lord will gather and judge the nations, who will gather at Jerusalem (Is 66:18; Zph 3:8; Zch 12:3; 14:2-3; Rv 16:14-16; 19:11-16). The Valley of Jehoshaphat is literally “the valley where Yahweh judged,” but the name is probably symbolic; no valley by this name is known. Some identify it with the valley of Jezreel near Megiddo and cite Rv 16:16, but that would be too far from Jerusalem. Others identify it with the Kidron Valley.

3:3-4 When Israel lost wars, their children would be sold by their enemies as slaves. Tyre and Sidon were trading hubs for slaves. The Lord is the defender of widows and orphans and will bring retribution on the guilty.

3:5-6 The crimes of these enemies were not only against Israel but against the Lord. It was God’s silver and gold that they took. The slaves were sent as far away as Greece.

3:7-8 The (Lat) lex talionis (Dt 19:21) will be applied, where punishment for wrongdoing is meted out “life for life, eye for eye,” etc. The Jews were sent in exile to the northwest, and so those who exiled them would be sent to the southeast. The Sabeans dominated the trade routes to the south.

3:9-12 The nations are summoned to battle (in Rv 16:14 demonic spirits are used to motivate the nations for the final battle). The nations are to mobilize for war (cp. the opposite in Is 2:4; Mc 4:3).

3:13 The Lord will trample his enemies like grapes in a winepress (Is 63:1-6; Rv 14:14-20).

3:14-17 Multitudes, multitudes are hordes of people in the valley of judgment. The decision is the verdict that the Lord is pronouncing on an unbelieving world, not a decision that people are making to follow God. It is too late because it is judgment day for Israel’s enemies but salvation day for the people of Yahweh—a refuge . . . a stronghold. This will be a time of revelation to Israel and the nations because the Lord will be known as he is.

3:18-21 Joel summarized the result of the day of the Lord. The land of Israel will have miraculous fertility and fruitfulness. Traditional enemies will be punished. The Lord will dwell with his people, and they will receive pardon for their sins.