Joel 3:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For, behold, in those days, &c.— As the foregoing promise of the Spirit was an assurance to the Jews, that, notwithstanding they might be reduced very low by their enemies, yet they should not be destroyed as a nation till God had accomplished all the great prophesies relating to the Messiah; so he in this chapter assures them of a deliverance from the oppression of their enemies, which they then laboured under; particularly from the Tyrians, Sidonians, Philistines, Egyptians, and Idumaeans, who were the neighbouring nations, and had each in their turns invaded them, pillaged their treasures, and led them into captivity. Upon this account God expostulates with them, Joel 3:2-6 promises the Jews that their captives should return, and that he would cause them to execute his just vengeance on their enemies, who, with all their power and forces, should not be able to deliver themselves; Joel 3:7-16. That Jerusalem should be taken under his protection, and the Jews enjoy such great prosperity, and see the violence, unrighteousness, and insolence of their enemies so signally avenged, as should cause them to acknowledge the power of Jehovah their God, and adore him for his great and unmerited favours towards them; Joel 3:17 to the end. Houbigant reads this verse, Behold, after those days, and after that time, &c. And he supposes that these words refer to the 27th verse of the preceding chapter, as they evidently cannot refer to the times posterior to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.