CRITICAL NOTES.] For] Explanatory of judgment predicted (ch. Joel 2:31). Those days] Viz. the outpouring of the Spirit, further described by the words “when I shall bring,” &c., redemption from distress of every kind; including gathering together of the dispersed, elevation into new and greater glory, exceeding earlier political or spiritual condition.
Joel 3:2. Valley of Jehoshaphat] where confederate foes were overthrown, say some (Psalms 83:6-8; 2 Chronicles 20:22-26); others think it is near Jerusalem (cf. Zechariah 14:4), and the term given to indicate the judgments of God upon the nations there. The ultimate events are still future, and fill up the space between the restoration of the Jews and the second advent of Christ. Plead] Not merely argue against enemies, but deal with them in judgments (Isaiah 66:16; Ezekiel 38:22).
Joel 3:3. Lots] A common way of dividing captives (Nahum 3:10). The harlot was not paid in money, but with a boy; and a girl was of so little value, that they sold her for a drink of wine. This depicts the ignominious treatment of Israel by the enemy.
HOMILETICS
PUNISHMENT UPON THE PERSECUTORS OF GOD’S PEOPLE.—Joel 3:1-3
The prophecy from ch. Joel 2:28 to the end of this book constitutes one whole, embracing the Messianic period, from the day of Pentecost to the final triumph and consummation of the kingdom. The events of the past are framed to describe the revelations of the future. In the second division (ch. Joel 3:1-21) we are introduced to events which issue in the restoration of Israel, which form the crisis of the destiny of the world, and which describe the final conflict of good and evil. Israel, viewed as the representative of God’s kingdom, are persecuted by the Gentile nations who are enemies to God. But he will deliver them from oppression and destroy their persecutors.
I. The cruel treatment of God’s people. God’s people, consecrated to him by covenant, have ever been despised by the world. Ungodly men belong to a system entirely opposed to their spiritual interests, and established upon laws and institutions which resist the authority of God. The indignities done to Israel are specified in the text, and typical of many forms of persecution.
1. They were robbed of their own land. “And parted my land.” All the earth is the Lord’s, but he locates his people, and dwells with them in certain places. The land belonged to him as well as the people, and when they cannot defend it, he will assert his rights to it and regain it. The enemy acted on the ancient motto, “Conquer and divide.” They parted the land and shared it amongst them. But those that enrich themselves by robbing God’s people will be spoiled of their own treasures. Wealth and reputation taken from others will not fit well on ourselves.
Who steals my purse, steals trash;
But he that filches from me my good name,
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.—
2. They were scattered in other lands. “Whom they have scattered among the nations.” God’s people were driven by violence into heathen nations and enslaved. The disciples were persecuted and fled from city to city. The early Christians were banished to mines of other countries, and islands of the sea. “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” Christ had it, and his people cannot expect any better treatment. Scorn and ridicule, social calumny and religious degradation, cannot be avoided. The good will ever excite the ill, and “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
3. They were indignantly treated. “They have cast lots for my people,” &c. (a) They despised them. Treated them all alike, honourable and dishonourable. They were all worthless, despised, and distributed by lot, a greater indignity than captivity and slavery. To trample on the weak and the fallen is most inhuman. “How unsuitable is it for us, who live only by kindness, to be unkind,” says Edwards. “And they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.” (b) They sold them as slaves. They were disposed of to slave-dealers at most ridiculous prices. A boy was given instead of money for the hire of a harlot, and a girl was sold for a drink of wine in revelry. This was done by Assyrians, Chaldees, and Romans. Enmity to God and persecution of his people have often been connected with scenes of sensuality. But how barbarous for men to sport with their own species, and prefer a moment’s gratification to the permanent interests of men. What inhumanity to subject young, innocent children to extreme hardship and anguish from such base motives! Let us thank God that the horrors of slavery are past, that we live in a land of personal liberty and religious laws.
II. The punishment of their enemies. “I will gather all nations,” &c. God may suffer enemies to prevail for a time, but the year of recompenses will come. God will avenge his own elect.
1. The time is fixed. “In those days and in that time.” The day, the hour may be unknown to us; but they are fixed immutably in the purpose and providence of God. There is a year of the redeemed, an acceptable year for the opening of the prison to them that are bound, for the bringing again of the captivity of Zion (Jeremiah 30:3).
2. The place is fixed. The valley of Jehoshaphat may mean the valley in which God destroyed the numerous enemies of that prince (2 Chronicles 20:26-28); or, in allusion to the word (meaning “the Lord hath judged”), it may refer to any scene when God will deal out retribution and execute his enemies. In due time and in some great valley God will punish sinners and reckon with nations for their infamous conduct. God is gathering men now in mysterious ways, will soon plead with them, accuse and condemn them, and “there shall be tribulation, such as there had not been from the beginning of the world.”
3. The reason is assigned. “For my people.” God’s people are precious in his sight, whatever be their treatment and outward condition in the world. (a) They are his people. They have given themselves to him, and belong entirely to him. Others refuse allegiance and forget God, “but the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.” (b) They are his heritage. He chose Israel as his heritage and peculiar treasure, his portion and treasure above other people (Deuteronomy 32:9). When weak and desponding in trial he assured them of his love and defence. The most precious things in the universe are holy people. God claims them for his own, will never permit them to be lost, but will vindicate their cause and redeem them from death. “He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of my eye.” “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
HOMILETIC HINTS AND OUTLINES
Joel 3:1. I. The sad condition. “Captivity of Judah.” The Church is often oppressed and persecuted by enemies, thrown into captivity by backslidings, and bound fast by things of time and sense. The sinner is under the bondage of sin, captivated by lust, and lashed by a guilty conscience. II. The blessed change. “Bring again the captivity.” Sins are forgiven, and persecutors are overthrown. God’s power redeemed Israel from literal, and God’s grace delivers men from spiritual, slavery. III. The time of the change. “In those days and in that time.” God has his own times of deliverance. His people should have patience and hope, for they shall not sorrow a day longer than he has purposed. Divine decrees have fixed the time for blessing the Church, and neither Rome nor infidels can hinder the work. “Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion; for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come” (Psalms 102:13). IV. The author of the change. “I shall bring again.” It is God’s work and not man’s. He makes, keeps, and saves the Church. He purchased and will defend his people. He will in judgment and in grace destroy the wicked, and bless the righteous. “When the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.”
1. The assembly. “All nations.”
2. The place. “The valley of Jehoshaphat.”
3. The purpose. I “will plead.”
4. The reason. “For my people.” “Here the fate of whole nations is obviously bound up with that of Israel, and is to depend on the relations they have sustained to the people of God” [S. Cox].
Valley. In the days of Joel valleys were the usual fields of “battle,” mountainous and wooded country being unfavourable to the movements, tactics, and strategical combinations of ancient military art. Naturally, therefore, the Prophet would select some valley as the arena of the final conflict. But this conflict was also to be a judgment. Was it possible to select a valley whose very name should convey the idea of judgment and of Divine judgment? Yes; close outside the eastern wall of Jerusalem lay a valley, known as the “valley of Jehoshaphat.” “Jehoshaphat means, Jehovah judges. Here ready to his hand were the very symbols the Prophet required. The scene of the final conflict and the final judgment would be the valley in which Jehovah judgeth and will judge [S. Cox].
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 3
Joel 3:1-3. Persecution. Oh, if when we oppress and goad our fellow-creatures, we bestowed but one thought upon the dark evidences of human error, which, like dense and heavy clouds, are rising slowly, it is true, but not less surely, to heaven, to pour their after-vengeance on our heads—if we heard but one instant, in imagination, the deep testimony of dead men’s voices, which no power can stifle, and no pride can shut out, where would be the injury and injustice, the suffering, misery, cruelty, and wrong, that each day’s life brings with it [Dickens]?
Sold a girl for wine. A woman in Glasgow, some time since, in order to gratify her immoderate craving for ardent spirits, was said to have offered her own child for sale as a subject for dissection [Whitecross].