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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:15-17

That day-the fear of the wicked, the hope of the just. These verses picture the dread accompaniments of the time and place of the destruction of the wicked. They give us a glimpse, and a most alarming one, of the final catastrophe. I. THE DAY OF DECISION SHALL BE A DAY OF DARKNESS , Apart from the decision itself and consequent execution of Divine wrath upon the ungodly—an execution which, as if baffling the power of words to describe, is left to imagination to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:16

Out of Zion . The presence of Jehovah is the immediate occasion of these terrors; and hence his voice proceeds from Jerusalem, or more particularly from Zion, where the visible symbol of his presence long dwelt. "For there," says Kimchi, "was his dwelling in Jerusalem; and as if from thence he roared and uttered his voice against them." Thus far the prophet pictures in very vivid, indeed terribly vivid, colours the frightful scene in the valley of decision: then stops short without... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:16

The Lord his people's Hope and Strength. The prospect of the day of the Lord is to the sinful fraught with dread and with dismay. To them the judgment brings the delayed condemnation, and therefore the very thought of it is associated with alarm. But the language of this verse reminds us how differently the Divine appearance and interposition are regarded by the true people of God. I. THE RIGHTEOUS LORD IS THE HARBOUR AND THE HOPE OF HIS PEOPLE . 1 . They... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:17

Jerusalem will be a sanctuary, and strangers will not pass through it any more . In the beginning of this verse Jehovah promises to be the God of his people; he points to the place of his abode, and purifies Jerusalem by judgment that it will be a true holy place, untrodden by the foot of Gentile stranger or Jewish unbeliever any more. His people would recognize his presence and his power by the wonderful deliverance vouchsafed to them. "Jerusalem," says Kimchi, "shall be a sanctuary, like... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:17

The Lord's holy dwelling-place. When Jerusalem was entered by hostile armies, it must have been to the Jews a sore amazement and trouble to behold the sanctuary of God profaned. The city was a holy city, and the temple was a holy building. National disaster involved the profanation of what was justly regarded as "holiness unto the Lord." I. THE TRUE JERUSALEM IS THE CONSECRATED CHURCH OF CHRIST . In the elder dispensation certain places were holy. But the Christian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:18

In that day. These words express the state of things consequent on the judgment just executed. The mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow (margin, go ) with waters. Thus the mountains are represented as covered over with vines of richest growth and terraced to the top; the hills as affording most luxuriant pastures and clothed with flocks; the rivers, dried up in summer and reduced to dried-up river-beds, flowing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:18

Spiritual prosperity. The language of the prophet in this passage is obviously figurative. In poetical terms, the boldness and beauty of which are not exceeded by the graceful and imaginative writers of classical antiquity, Joel depicts the reign of peace, plenty, and prosperity. Literally these words have not been, and will not be, fulfilled. To some they speak of a restoration of Israel, yet in the future, of a period when all the delights that a nation can enjoy shall be secured in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:18-21

These verses picture Judah and Jerusalem as scenes of most abundant blessings, while Egypt and Edom are doomed to irretrievable barrenness and desolation. But, as the language must be understood figuratively, the prosperity of the Lord's laud is set in contrast with the countries of the world-powers; but the contrast includes, as we think, the allotments of eternity as well as the destinies of time. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:18-21

The promise of plenty. These verses contain the concluding promises of the closing chapter of this book of Scripture. I. THERE IS THE PROMISE OF PLENTY . Some understand the whole of this verse as referring to spiritual blessings, especially in millennial times. "But though the prophecy belongs eminently to one time, the imagery describes the fulness of spiritual blessings which God at all times diffuses in and through the Church; and these blessings, he says, shall... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:18-21

The millennium era. "And it shall come to pass in that day," etc. This passage begins with a splendid representation of the glorious prosperity which shall attend the people of God after the destruction of all their enemies. Whatever their application to the Jews at any period of their history, they certainly bear an application to that period foretold by prophets and sung by poets,—the millennial period. Giving it this application, observe— I. IT WILL BE AN ERA OF ... read more

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