Joel 3:16

16 The Lord roars from Mount Zion; 1 his voice thunders from Jerusalem; earth and sky tremble. But he will defend his people.

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 Thousands and thousands are in the Valley of Judgment. It is there that the day of the Lord will soon come.
15 The sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine.
16 The Lord roars from Mount Zion; his voice thunders from Jerusalem; earth and sky tremble. But he will defend his people.
17 "Then, Israel, you will know that I am the Lord your God. I live on Zion, my sacred hill. Jerusalem will be a sacred city; foreigners will never conquer it again.
18 At that time the mountains will be covered with vineyards, and cattle will be found on every hill; there will be plenty of water for all of Judah. A stream will flow from the Temple of the Lord, and it will water Acacia Valley.

Cross References 1

Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.