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Joel 3:9-11 (JDV)

Joel 3:9 Proclaim this among the nations: Commit to war; rouse the warriors; let all the men of war muster and go up!

Joel 3:10 Form your plows into swords and your pruning knives into spears. Let even the weakling say, “I am a warrior.”

Joel 3:11 Hurry, all you surrounding nations; gather yourselves. Bring down your warriors there, Yahveh.

the coming big one

War is a terrible thing, but it is also inevitable in this case. The nations who will have invaded and decimated Joel’s nation will see their days on the battlefield as well. Those who lived by the sword had better be prepared to die by the sword, and no one will be exempt.

Joel’s words also suggest that great battle at the end of the age. The element of hurry suggests a significant event that rouses all the nations to gather themselves quickly for an assault on the Holy Land. Isaiah, Ezekiel and Zephaniah speak of this battle as well. John calls it “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” and says it will happen at a place called “Armageddon.”¹

In Joel’s context, his words were meant as encouragement for a plundered people who anticipate being devastated by foreign nations. He encouraged them to keep in mind that one of these wars will result in the big one, the one that changes everything. God will not allow injustice to reign permanently.

Thank you Lord for the peace you will bring by your coming judgment.