Joel continues with the words of The LORD (v1-3). He promised to bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem in those days and at that time. The time would be that which is referred to in the previous chapter, it seems that the beginning of the last days began at the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost, but we do not know when the end will come. The return of the captives began when they returned from Babylon, but it will only be fully fulfilled at the end times when Israel welcomes The Lord Jesus (Matthew 23:39 and Romans 11:26,27).
He will gather all nations to the valley of Jehoshaphat and judge them. I understand that there is no place called ‘the Valley of Jehoshaphat’. One writer suggests it is symbolic for judgment and most likely to be the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16). God assures them that the nations will be judged on how they have treated the nation of Israel (see Matthew 25). They have scattered Israel among the nations and mistreated them, treating them as mere commodities for trade. In verses 4-8 The LORD warns those nations to expect judgment for the way they mistreated Israel. They had taken God’s silver and gold and taken God’s prized possessions into their temples. Sold God’s people as slaves to the Greeks in their effort to get Israel as far away as they could from the land promised to them by God. God tells them that He would bring judgment on them just as they had done to His people. One writer comments on the terrible end met by ten Roman Emperors. Whatever man does to God’s people they are doing it to God and God will deal with them.
God invites the nations to prepare for war. The mighty men, the men of war to come against Him (v9-13). Whatever weapons they seek to use will be useless when fighting against God, even plowshares and pruning hooks, made into swords and spears, even convincing themselves that they are strong, when really, they are weak, and will not succeed against the power of God. He will judge the nations for their wickedness is great. They will be ripe for harvesting. Their so-called strength is nothing when facing Almighty God. Psalm 2 puts it in perspective when comparing the ‘power of man’ to the absolute power of God – “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion”.
Even the most powerful of men are nothing when compared to Almighty God. All their plans are vain and useless in the sight of God. God even laughs at them. In Revelation 14 the wine press is an image of God’s wrath just as Joel states.
When the Day of The LORD is near there will be multitudes in the valley of decision. It seems that this crowd of people are opposing God and will ultimately meet their end as decided by God Himself (v14-17). The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars diminish their brightness. This seems to be referring to the end of chapter 2 where the prophecy is finally fulfilled. However, they can avoid that by seeking The LORD beforehand. He says He will be a shelter and strength for His people. They will know that He is The LORD, and they can call on His Name and be saved.
Calling on the name of Jesus, is much more than merely mentioning His name. It is what is involved in true repentance. Jesus said, in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7) that, “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” True repentance is an earnest cry from the heart, far more than a repetition of words. It leads to action; it is not half-heartedness, nor hypocrisy. We must recognise who He really is and what He has done for the sin of mankind.
In the Old Testament we read about God’s love for His people. He often assured them of that love. He also told them that He would punish them for their disobedience, this can be seen over and over again, but He still loved them. He also told him that He would punish their enemies, which He did. In Joel’s prophecy we see quite clearly that, even though God would bring disasters upon them, His love still stood and would be continued upon them.
Joel’s final words (v18-21) indicate that Judah’s enemies will be dealt with because of their violence against them – ‘Egypt shall be a desolation, Edom a desolate wilderness, mentioning just two of them. But Judah shall abide forever …. For The LORD dwells in Zion.’ He promises them restoration and redemption, just as He does to us.
A working of God’s Spirit leads to confession of our sin, repentance and forgiveness. God has sent us His Holy Spirit, ‘to convict us of sin and righteousness and judgment. He will guide us into all truth, He will not speak on His own authority, He will glorify The Lord Jesus and take what is His and declare it to you.’ (See John 16:5-15). The Holy Spirit is not offended by us glorifying The Lord Jesus, and not The Spirit Himself. That’s why He came. May we all come to The Lord Jesus Christ who promises to do that for us, even today, yes, today before it is too late.
