Joel 3:1-6

1 The Lord says, "At that time I will restore the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem.

2 I will gather all the nations and bring them to the Valley of Judgment. There I will judge them for all they have done to my people. They have scattered the Israelites in foreign countries and divided Israel, my land.

3 They threw dice to decide who would get the captives. They sold boys and girls into slavery to pay for prostitutes and wine.

4 "What are you trying to do to me, Tyre, Sidon, and all of Philistia? Are you trying to pay me back for something? If you are, I will quickly pay you back! ¹

5 You have taken my silver and gold and carried my rich treasures into your temples.

6 You have taken the people of Judah and Jerusalem far from their own country and sold them to the Greeks.

Joel 3:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOEL 3

This chapter, which some make the fourth, contains a prophecy of God's judgments on all the antichristian nations at the time of the Jews' conversion, and the reasons of them, Joe 3:1-3; a threatening of Tyre and Zidon, by way of retaliation, for carrying the riches of the Jews into their temples, and selling their persons to the Greeks, Joe 3:4-8; an alarm to prepare for the battle of Armageddon, or the destruction that shall be made in the valley of Jehoshaphat, Joe 3:9-15; and after that an account of the happy state of the church of Christ, their safety and security, plenty, prosperity, and purity, to the end of the world, Joe 3:16-21.

Cross References

• 1. 3.4-8Isaiah 23.1-18;Ezekiel 26.1--28.26;Amos 1.9, 10;Zechariah 9.1-4;Matthew 11.21, 22;Luke 10.13, 14.+O+N3.4-8Isaiah 14.29-31;Jeremiah 47.1-7;Ezekiel 25.15-17;Amos 1.6-8;Zephaniah 2.4-7;Zechariah 9.5-7.