What Does Joel 3:10 Really Mean in the Right Context?

Some of the most intriguing and difficult texts in the Bible are the minor prophets of the Old Testament. They are a mixture of history and prophecy, analogy and literalism, clarity and obscurity.

Since not everyone can immerse themselves in study to learn ancient Hebrew and study Israel’s history like a theologian, people often skip these books for one’s they find more accessible. There is much to be gleaned from these texts, like the Book of Joel.

In this book, the prophet speaks to the state of Israel in his time, as well as apocalyptic prophecy, and they seem to overlap at times. One verse that is full of meaning and tells the reader a great deal about the tensions between God and man comes from such a passage; “Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’” (Joel 3:10)

In context, God is speaking to those who defy Him, both the enemies of Israel in Joel’s time, and today. Compared to a mighty God, even the strong should take a step back and consider their position, perhaps embracing humility, and submitting to the will of the Lord.

What Is the Context of Joel 3:10?

The Book of Joel covers three general topics and time frames. It opens with an acknowledgment of the author, the prophet Joel, son of Pethuel, and a massive drought and a plague of locusts.

At the time, people were struggling to grow the crops needed to sustain the nation and make certain grain offerings. Joel tied this to a general need for lamentation and repentance across the nation, saying, “Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Go in, pass the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! Because grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God” (Joel 1:13).

Joel then blends the contemporary plague to future armies laying waste to the land. God promises mercy, and the providing of the Holy Spirit at a future date, as well as references to the Day of the Lord. This day can be seen as God acting in Joel’s time, but it also generally refers to the return of Jesus Christ in the End Times.

In the following passage, God through his prophet challenges the nations, both in Joel’s time as well as the time surrounding the Day of the Lord, about their hubris, defiance, and sin. God calls out to nations like Tyre, Sidon, and the Greek cultures.

The full section in Joel three reads:

“I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it… Proclaim this among the nations: Consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a warrior” (Joel 3:2-3 and 9-10).

The Lord will gather all the nations to Him to judge them, and every individual will be judged as well. He alludes to these great judgments. These countries will not just be judged for their aggressions against Israel, but for evils they committed, such as the ones against children mentioned in verse three.

Throughout the Bible, nations knowingly defied God. In Joshua’s day, Jericho knew about the power of Israel’s God, but only Rahab repented and embraced the grace of God; the rest of the city hid in its walls in defiance of the Lord, when they could have followed Rahab’s example.

In the Book of Revelation, it foretells of a great battle called Armageddon, when all the nations loyal to the Antichrist will gather together against the armies of God and against Israel. It is to these nations to whom God says, "beat your plowshares into swords...let the weak say I am strong." Because they will not accept His offer of love and forgiveness and insist on defying Him and embracing evil, their efforts will be futile.

They can say they are strong, they can make as many weapons as they want. Ultimately, God will have the final victory.

Is This Actually an Encouraging Passage for Believers?

Out of context, the idea of the weak saying they are strong can be very encouraging for those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ. There are even other verses in the Bible that encourage those who feel deficient in some way to rely on the Lord to supply their needs and give them strength.

Some of these verses include:

• Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. 
• Psalm 9:9-10: “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
• Luke 12:25-28: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!”
• 2 Timothy 1:6-7: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
• Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

In some ways, those who are weak, poor, and low from the world’s standpoint can say that in Christ they are strong, rich, and loved.

This particular passage in Joel is not addressed to those who have a relationship with God, but to those who defy Him and hate His laws. The weak in this passage are those who think they are strong, and truly believe they can stand up against the Creator of the universe and win.

They will not succeed, as the Book of Revelation records, “And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse...” (Revelation 19:19-21a).

Jesus, the one sitting on the horse in this passage, will have the final victory.

What Does This Passage Teach Us about God's Power and Authority?

God created everything by the utterance of His voice. He raises and brings low great empires, knowing the end of all things from the beginning.

His love is so great, and His authority so boundless, that He laid the punishment of the sins of every person who will ever exist on Himself on the cross at Calvary, and paid an infinite debt in full.

This passage in Joel serves as a reminder that man’s greatest efforts, strongest men, and most powerful weapons are nothing compared to infinite, almighty God.

Part of the purpose of prophecy is to provide people sufficient warning and time to evaluate where they stand before God, repent from their sins, and have a saving and sanctifying relationship with their Savior. Jesus will be the final judge, and He wants all people to come to Him.

While many may think they can defy God and persecute His people, Jesus left the world with these encouraging words, “ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Sources:

Boice, James Montgomery. The Minor Prophets God’s Spokesmen. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1983.
Seitz, Christopher. Joel The International Theological Commentary. New York: Bloomsbury, 2016.
Willmington, H.L. Willmington’s Guide to the Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1981.

Photo Credit: ©lolostock

Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.