9 Announce this to the godless nations: Prepare for battle! Soldiers at attention! Present arms! Advance! 10 Turn your shovels into swords, turn your hoes into spears. Let the weak one throw out his chest and say, "I'm tough, I'm a fighter." 11 Hurry up, pagans! Wherever you are, get a move on! Get your act together. Prepare to be shattered by God! 12 Let the pagan nations set out for Judgment Valley. There I'll take my place at the bench and judge all the surrounding nations. 13 "Swing the sickle - the harvest is ready. Stomp on the grapes - the winepress is full. The wine vats are full, overflowing with vintage evil. 14 "Mass confusion, mob uproar - in Decision Valley! God's Judgment Day has arrived in Decision Valley. 15 "The sky turns black, sun and moon go dark, stars burn out.
16 God roars from Zion, shouts from Jerusalem. Earth and sky quake in terror. But God is a safe hiding place, a granite safe house for the children of Israel. 17 Then you'll know for sure that I'm your God, Living in Zion, my sacred mountain. Jerusalem will be a sacred city, posted: 'no trespassing.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joel 3:9-17
Commentary on Joel 3:9-17
(Read Joel 3:9-17)
Here is a challenge to all the enemies of God's people. There is no escaping God's judgments; hardened sinners, in that day of wrath, shall be cut off from all comfort and joy. Most of the prophets foretell the same final victory of the church of God over all that oppose it. To the wicked it will be a terrible day, but to the righteous it will be a joyful day. What cause have those who possess an interest in Christ, to glory in their Strength and their Redeemer! The acceptable year of the Lord, a day of such great favour to some, will be a day of remarkable vengeance to others: let every one that is out of Christ awake, and flee from the wrath to come.