Joel 3
DOYLY— and shall water the valley of Shittim.] See the note from Bp. Bagot on Ezek. xlvii. 1. The distance of this place from Jerusalem may denote the large extent of God’s blessing: or the nature of the place, which was dry and barren, and productive of nothing but thorns and rushes, may, under the figure of its being watered by the fountain from the house of the Lord, signify the efficaciousness of the grace of God conveyed by the Gospel. Dr. Pocock.
Joel 3:9
- Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles;] After these particular threatenings against Tyre and Sidon, and the neighbouring coast, the Prophet returns to what he had mentioned, ver. 2, concerning the heathen or unbelieving world, gathering themselves either to oppose the Jews in their return homeward, or some other way to hinder the growth of Christ’s kingdom. W. Lowth.
— Prepare war, &c.] The Prophet in an ironical and insulting manner encourages them to make their utmost efforts to oppose the designs of Providence: but it should be all in vain. See the like expressions, Isa. viii. 9, 10; Jer. xivi. 3, 4; Ezek. xxxviii. 7. W. Lowth.
Joel 3:11
- — thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord.] According to this rendering of the passage, interpreters understand by “mighty ones” the angels of God, sent down to defeat his enemies. But in the margin it is rendered, “the Lord shall bring down;” and in our older English Bibles, “then shall the Lord cast down the mighty men;” that is, such as, presuming on their might, rebelliously exalted themselves against God and his people. Dr. Pocock.
Joel 3:12
- — there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.] God here speaks after the manner of men, with whom it is usual for the judge, examining matters and giving sentence, to sit: not as if sitting and standing were postures properly attributed to God. Dr. Pocock.
Joel 3:13
- Put ye in the sickle, &c.] God will give his commands to the angels, who are “the reapers,” Matt. xiii. 39, to cut off the wicked by a speedy destruction; for their iniquities are come to maturity, and are ripe for judgment. Compare Jer. li. 33; Hos. vi. 11; Matt. xiii. 38. 41; Rev. xiv. 15. W. Lowth.
Joel 3:14
- Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision;] O what multitudes, what infinite multitudes of wicked sinners, shall then and there be adjudged! Bp. Hall. “The valley of decision” is so called, because God will there decide on those assembled before Him, and pass judgment on them according to their deeds; for which reason it was before called “the valley of Jehoshaphat.” Dr. Pocock. See the second note on ver. 2.
Joel 3:15
- The sun and the moon shall be darkened, &c.] This particular judgment shall be a forerunner of the general one, when the whole frame of nature shall be dissolved.
them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
Joel 3:16
- The Lord also shall roar out of Zion.] Where He shall give tokens of his especial residence. W. Lowth. Or, by Zion and Jerusalem may be understood heaven, the seat of his glory, the representation of which was formerly in the sanctuary, Heb. xii. 22. Bp. Hall, Dr. Pocock. God’s anger, when He speaks to us by his judgments, is fitly compared to the roaring of a lion: see Jer. xxv. 30; Amos i. 2; iii. 8. W. Lowth.
— and the heavens and the earth shall shake:] Great commotions or convulsions of states and governments are expressed by “shaking the heavens and the earth:” compare Ezek. xxxviii. 19; Hag. ii. 6. 22. But here the words may be understood in a literal sense, because the action here described in this chapter is a forerunner and token of the approaching day of judgment. W. Lowth.
Joel 3:17
- — then shall Jerusalem be holy, &c.] This character belongs to the “new Jerusalem.” Compare Isa. xxxv. 8; lii. 1; lx. 21; Rev. xxi. 27. Or it may be understood of the earthly Jerusalem, as the metropolis of the converted world. As the inhabitants themselves shall be holy, so the city shall be called the “Holy City,” as in former times it was; see Dan. ix. 16; Zech. viii. 3; compare Isa. xxiv. 23; Micah iv. 7; Obad. ver. 17. It shall be no longer subject to be polluted or oppressed by unbelievers: compare Nahum i. 15. W. Lowth.
Joel 3:18
- And it shall come to pass in that day, &c.] And it shall come to pass in those last times, wherein the Gospel shall be published, that God shall give plenty of spiritual nourishment to his Church; so that every part thereof shall abound with effectual help and means of salvation: and from thence shall flow forth those waters of life, which shall water and refresh the souls of all the faithful followers of God. Bp. Hall.
God’s blessing upon the church. Before CHRIST about 800. shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall + flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
Joel 3:19
- Egypt—Edom] These two people were remarkable for their enmity to the Jews: they are taken in the general sense for the enemies of God’s people: see the note upon Isa. xi. 14. W. Lowth.
Joel 3:20
- But Judah shall dwell for ever, &c.] Many interpreters understand this not literally of Judah and Jerusalem, but figuratively of the Church of God: and affirm that the promise is made good even in this world, by Christ’s ruling in the midst of his enemies, and protecting his Church amidst her daily afflictions; but that it shall be fully performed in heaven, when, being placed out of all fear of danger, we shall eternally reign with Christ. Dr. Pocock.
Joel 3:21
- For I will cleanse their blood &c.] I will thoroughly cleanse them from their sins and pollutions; which shall not rise up any more in judgment against them. W. Lowth.
The following Chapter from Joel is appointed as a Proper Lesson, and as a portion of Scripture for the Epistle:
CHAP. II…20th Sunday after Trinity…Morning. —— ver. 12—17…Ash-Wednesday…For the Epistle.