And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
This gracious promise is an instance of the merciful providence of God, so universally displayed in His prophetic revelations, whereby, in the midst of His severest threats of vengeance, He still reserved for His people a refuge against despair. Observe how fatal are the consequences of that state of mind against which it was intended to be a remedy. Despair of God’s forgive ness thrusts men into a recklessness of their own spiritual concerns, from which no reasoning can arouse them as long as their state of desperation continues. For why should a man turn to God if He will not receive him? The universal doctrine of Scripture is, that none shall have recourse to God in vain. The Jews did not understand the full import of Joel’s prophecy. No prophecy explains itself, nor can its meaning be thoroughly understood, until the event predicted has come to pass; and then the event and the prophecy will throw light upon each other, and the wise counsel of God from the beginning will be made manifest. We find the fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy in the early times of the Christian dispensation, and especially in the siege and capture of the holy city. From the dangers of those days the converted Jews escaped. That fulfilment is typical of a more general judgment to come. The third chapter of Joel must be considered as a prophecy hitherto unaccomplished. Some think it refers to the return of the Jews to their own land. (James Randall, M. A.)
A great proclamation
I. The time of this proclamation is present. The time spoken of by Joel began at Pentecost. The Holy Ghost, who then came down to earth, has never returned; He is still in the midst of the Church, performing moral and spiritual miracles in our midst. To-day complete salvation is promised to every one that believeth in Jesus.
II. The wide range of the proclamation. “Whosoever.” All classes, all ages, all conditions, all degrees of guilt and misery and wickedness.
III. How plain and simple is the requirement. “Call on the name of the Lord.” This is “The plain man’s pathway to heaven.” Believe and live. What does calling on the name of the Lord mean?
1. To believe in God as He reveals Himself in Scripture.
2. To call upon His name in prayer.
3. To confess that name.
As the requirement is plain, so the assurance of blessing is positive. “Shall be saved.” Remember that this is a personal blessing to you. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
A wide Gospel
I. As uttered by Joel. It has a special reference to national and temporary circumstances. Joel depicts the judgments of God on Judah, and calls to repentance. He exhorts to trust in the Lord for deliverance. Then predicts extraordinary gifts of the Spirit; and hints at terrible convulsions of nature in the last times.
II. As quoted by St. Peter (Acts 2:21).
1. He gives to the whole passage a Christian signification. Sees in the events of the day of Pentecost an accomplishment of verses 28, 29. Quotes the text as an exhortation to his hearers to call on the Lord Jesus Christ.
III. As reiterated by St. Paul (Romans 10:13). The text now gains its widest Christian meaning.
2. It is coupled here with Isaiah 28:16, and made applicable to the whole world.
3. It is thus extensive; none are excluded. Intensive; every individual is exhorted to personal faith in Jesus.
IV. As true to ourselves.
1. It points to a means of safety.
(1) Proverbs 18:10.
(2) Jesus is our Lord.
(3) Running to and into Him is renouncing all trust in self, and taking shelter in His merits and atonement.
2. By a simple way.
(1) Illustrate by Acts 25:11-12.
(2) A believing appeal to Jesus means deliverance from the curse of an offended law, from the penalty of sin.
(3) Salvation by His intercession.
3. Open to all.
(1) Illustrate by Deuteronomy 19:2-3.
(2) Jesus is the refuge of all sinners.
(3) Every one may be saved by Him.
None are so sin-stricken that they cannot call. None so guilty that they may not call. None so righteous that they have no need to call. (J. H. Barnett.).