III. Judgment on the Nations and Blessing on Israel (Joel 3:1-21)

III. Judgment on the Nations and Blessing on Israel (3:1-21)

3:1-16 When God restores the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, he will enter into judgment with the godless nations (3:1-2). Because of how they treated the Lord’s people, he will bring retribution on [their] heads (3:7). He will gather them in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (3:2, 12), which means “the Lord judges.” Because there is no known valley with this name and it’s also referred to as the valley of decision (3:14), it’s likely the site of the end-time battle of Armageddon (see Rev 16:16), meaning “hill or mount of Megiddo.” Megiddo was in the Valley of Jezreel, the site of many significant battles (e.g., Judg 5:19; 2 Kgs 9:27; 23:29-30). God will go to war with the nations, and he will triumph easily.

3:17-21 In contrast to the fate of the nations, Joel describes the exaltation of Israel in that day when Jerusalem will be holy, and foreigners will never overrun it again, and the blessings of the Lord will be on the land (3:17-18). They will be in full fellowship with the Lord. Judah will be inhabited forever, and their sins will be pardoned (3:20-21). Thus, the day of the Lord will bring judgment and destruction on God’s enemies but blessing and deliverance for his people. The rider on the white horse, Jesus Christ, will come and set all things right (see Rev 19:11). Come, Lord Jesus.