Joel 3:16

16 The LORD 1roars from Zion And 2utters His voice from Jerusalem, And the 3heavens and the earth tremble. But the LORD is a 4refuge for His people And a 5stronghold to the sons of Israel.

Joel 3:16 Meaning and Commentary

Joel 3:16

The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from
Jerusalem
Christ, the Lamb, shall now appear as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and utter his voice in his providence and judgments on the behalf of his church and people, signified by Zion and Jerusalem; and therefore said to roar, and utter his voice from thence; he will be heard far and near, and strike terror in the hearts of his enemies; see ( Jeremiah 25:30 Jeremiah 25:31 ) ; and the heavens and the earth shall shake;
great revolutions will be made in the world, both in church and state, among the antichristian powers; and such as will also make them shake and tremble, as well as alter the form and frame of things among them; see ( Revelation 16:18 Revelation 16:19 ) ; changes in government, civil and ecclesiastic, are sometimes signified by such phrases, ( Haggai 2:6 Haggai 2:7 ) ( Hebrews 12:26 Hebrews 12:27 ) ( Revelation 6:14 ) ( Revelation 11:13 Revelation 11:19 ) ; but the Lord [will be] the hope of his people;
the object, author, ground, and foundation of their hope of salvation here and hereafter; in whom they may hope for and expect safety and security in the worst of times; since he will be their "refuge", or their "harbour" F17 as it may be rendered; to whom they may have recourse, to shelter and screen them from the rage and wrath of their enemies, and where they will be safe, till the indignation of God be over and past; and while calamities and judgments are upon the unchristian and ungodly world, they will have nothing to fear amidst these storms, being in a good harbour: and the strength of the children of Israel;
of the spiritual Israel; of all such who are Israelites indeed, the Lord's chosen, redeemed, and called people, both Jews and Gentiles; the author and giver of their spiritual strength, the strength of their lives and of their hearts, of their graces and of their salvation; by whom they are furnished with strength to do the duties of religion; to exercise grace; to wrestle with God in prayer; to withstand spiritual enemies; to bear afflictions patiently, and to persevere to the end: or he is their "fortress" F18; their strong hold and place of defence, where they are safe from every enemy, free from all distresses, enjoy solid peace and comfort, and have plenty of provisions, ( Isaiah 33:16 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F17 (hoxm) "refugium", Tigurine version, Burkius; "receptus", Tarnovius.
F18 (Nwem) "prsesidium", Tarnovius; "arx", Cocceius.

Joel 3:16 In-Context

14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and moon grow dark And the stars lose their brightness.
16 The LORD roars from Zion And utters His voice from Jerusalem, And the heavens and the earth tremble. But the LORD is a refuge for His people And a stronghold to the sons of Israel.
17 Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain. So Jerusalem will be holy, And strangers will pass through it no more.
18 And in that day The mountains will drip with sweet wine, And the hills will flow with milk, And all the brooks of Judah will flow with water; And a spring will go out from the house of the LORD To water the valley of Shittim.

Cross References 5

  • 1. Hosea 11:10; Amos 1:2
  • 2. Joel 2:11
  • 3. Ezekiel 38:19; Joel 2:10; Haggai 2:6
  • 4. Psalms 61:3; Isaiah 33:16; Jeremiah 17:17
  • 5. Jeremiah 16:19; Nahum 1:7
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