Bobservations' Column
All of Joel is prophetic. Some have been fulfilled already, lending to God’s plans revealed through Joel’s writings. He is a true prophet. Has anyone met a Philistine lately? “Philistia” was Israel’s western coast, from Egypt to Lebanon. They no longer control the Mediterranean Sea, as they once were a powerful sea-faring people. Samson (Judges 13-16) fought against them and against their god Dagon, the fish god, bringing their temple down even upon himself.
The Philistines plotted against Israel’s Samson, who was the son of Manoah, of the Tribe of Dan. Manoah’s wife was one of Israel’s notable barren women, all of whom bore great men to Israel. Her prayers were answered when she became pregnant with Samson, yet the Bible does not reveal her name. Among his trials, his wife was given to another man, and he eventually went to Gaza to confront those Philistines (Gazites) that held the Israelites in subjection.
The Philistine plot would include a woman named Dililah, who was sent to entice Samson into revealing the source of his strength. Because they feared him, they wanted to defeat him, and do away with his power and that of Israel. Samson was seen as a threat against the Philistines, so they had no choice but to plot to destroy him, and keep Israel in subjection.
It was a time of “conquer, or be conquered,” and Samson went to Gaza and the plot to kill him took form. He could only resist Dililah’s siren pleadings for just so long. The weakness of the flesh took over, and “Sammy” gave into it. He feared that the Philistines would learn of the source of his power, but he told Dililah that it was his long hair (Part of his Nazarite Vow forbade him to cut his hair.), and if it was cut, he would be powerless. North of Gaza, just south of Joppa (southern Tel-Aviv) was Beth Dagon, “House of Dagon,” a town dedicated to the fish-god of the Philistines. They made sport of Samson, and secured him between the two pillars of the house. He had slain many of them, and now many of them were to slay Samson, their enemy.
The parallels to current events are many, and Joel’s prophetic Word is fulfilled now.
“Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither you have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own head.” - Joel 3:7
Sunday Morning's Audio Message:
Joel 3:9--21 - "The Lord Dwelleth in Zion"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
God uses the nations around Judah to get their attention and to bring judgment for their sins. He is faithful to His Word and will keep His covenant with His people. They will turn back to their God and He will destroy their enemies.
This beautiful future is reserved for them AFTER His judgment has been rendered on the nations, when Jesus rules on earth. When He is in residence in Jerusalem, there will be NOTHING evil in it. And the land will reflect His mercy throughout. Jerusalem will be a city filled with His praise!
This morning's passage begins with the voice of the prophet Joel calling the nations to battle (vv. 9-11). As the prophet issued his call, he said, "Proclaim this among the nations." To proclaim is to make an announcement, with the command of God that will follow. This command concerned the nations, the Gentile people groups who in this instance appear to have refused to serve the LORD and acknowledge Him for who He is.
The ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy occurs during what Jesus referred to as the time of great tribulation (Matthew 24:21) in the seventieth week of Daniel (Daniel 9). John's Revelation describes a future time when a lawless anti-christ will lead the earth in a full rebellion against God, and Jesus will lead a heavenly army to destroy and judge those gathered in Israel to rise against the Lord and His people (Revelation 15:14-16, 19:11-21). It appears that this will be a gathering of all the nations (Revelation 19:15, Zechariah 14:16-21).
Prepare War (3:9) - literally, sanctify war: because the heathen always began war with religious ceremonies. The very phrase used of Babylon's preparations against Jerusalem (Jeremiah 6:4) is now used of the final foes of Jerusalem. God's enemies will one day do this same thing (Revelation 16;12-16), and God will laugh at them (Psalm 2) as they are no match for the Almighty One. As Babylon was then desired by God to advance against her for her destruction, so now all her foes, of whom Babylon was the type, are desired to advance against her for their own destruction.
Plowshares Into Swords (3:10) - Get your armaments ready, though they will be of no avail. This exhortation is for the nations to prepare to fight the returning Savior (Revelation 16:13-14). Note its reversal when the battle of Armageddon is over, and Christ's kingdom begins (Isaiah 2:4). Prepare for war, let all the enemies of God and of his people join together. Let them even call all the tillers of the ground to their assistance, instead of laboring in the field. Let every peasant become a soldier. Let them turn their agricultural implements into offensive weapons, so that the weak, being well armed, may confidently say, I am strong. Yet, when thus collected and armed, Jehovah will bring down thy mighty ones; for so the clause (in Joel 3:11), should be rendered.
This is the opposite of beat your swords into plowshares. They are to prepare for the great battle. This war would be so great, that all the farmers and husbandmen would have to fight too.
Thy Mighty Ones (3:11) - These "mighty ones" must be the armies of the saints with Christ in heaven, as they "come down" with Him to smite and judge the rebellious nations at Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21). A prayer of the prophet, or of the church, to God, that he would send down his mighty ones, the angels that excel in strength, and destroy this great army thus gathered together. As an angel in one night destroyed the army of Sennacherib.
Let The Heathen Be Wakened (3:12) - Let the enemies of Christ and his church be aroused from that state of security in which they are, and prepare for their own defense. For in such a state the antichristian powers will be before their destruction (see Revelation 18:7).
Judge All the Heathen Round About (3:12) - that is, all the nations from all parts of the earth which have maltreated Israel. There gathered together from all parts. The allusion is to a judge upon the bench, sitting to hear and try causes, and pass a definitive sentence. And here it signifies the execution of that sentence; such a pleading the cause of his people, as to take vengeance and inflict just punishment upon their enemies (see Psalm 9:4). This is the same battle where 2/3 of Gog in the land of Magog will die in battle. So many die in this battle, that people on the Mediterranean Sea must put clothes pins on their noses to stop the death odor. All Israel will be 7 months burying the dead. Ezekiel 39:12 "And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land." This plainly says that the deaths in this great battle are a judgment of God against the heathen people.
Harvest...Winepress (3:13) - This is a figurative scene describing God's judgment in the far eschatological sense at the advent of Christ's millennial rule. Compare Revelation 14:18: "Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe." As the same states are compared to a harvest ripe, the measure of their sins being filled up, and the time of their destruction appointed for them come.
Multitudes...Valley of Decision (3:14) - This location is the same as the Valley of Jehoshaphat where the sentence of judgment will be carried out (3:2, 12). "Decision" here means "judicial verdict." The multitudes of the rebelling nations are about to be sentenced and executed. This judgment will be meted out against them in the Day of the Lord that takes place in the Great Tribulation. These multitudes are the heathen armies of many nations that are judged in the valley, and found guilty as charged. God, Himself, destroys them. This is speaking of that day of judgment.
Roar Out of Zion (3:16) - Christ, the Lamb, shall now appear as "The Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5), and His powerful coming will be to the nations like the triumphant roar of a mighty lion, shaking the very heavens. He will be heard far and near, and strike terror in the hearts of his enemies (see Jeremiah 25:30).
I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion (3:17) - “Zion, my holy mountain”: This will be the earthly location of God’s presence in the millennial temple (Ezekiel 40 - 48) at Jerusalem.
Valley of Shittim (3:18) - Was known for its acacia trees, the valley was situated on the northern shores of the Dead Sea and served as the final stopover for Israel prior to her entrance into the Promised Land (Numbers 25:1; Joshua 2:1; 3:1). This valley is also the place to which the millennial river will flow (Ezekiel 47:1-12; Zechariah 14:8). Psalm 46:4 "[There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High." Revelation 22:1 "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." This is speaking of that perfect time, when there is perfect peace, and God provides for all the needs of His people.
Lord Dwelleth in Zion (3:21) - God Himself, in the person of His Son, will reign from the earthly Jerusalem for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6), then in the New Jerusalem forever (Revelation 22:3-5).