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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joel 3:9-17

What the psalmist had long before ordered to be said among the heathen (Ps. 96:10) the prophet here will have in like manner to be published to all nations, That the Lord reigns, and that he comes, he comes to judge the earth, as he had long been judging in the earth. The notice here given of God's judging the nations may have reference to the destruction of Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus, and to the Antichrist especially, and all the proud enemies of the Christian church; but some of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joel 3:9

Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles ,.... This decree of God, concerning the deliverance of his church; and the destruction of their enemies; which is to be proclaimed among them, to the terror of them, and the comfort of God's people, encouraging them to the battle, since they might be sure of victory; for the prophet here returns to give an account of the armies to be gathered together, and to be destroyed in the valley of Jehoshaphat, as appears from Joel 3:12 ; and to this end heralds... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 3:9

Prepare war - Let all the enemies of God and of his people join together; let them even call all the tillers of the ground to their assistance, instead of laboring in the field; let every peasant become a soldier. Let them turn their agricultural implements into offensive weapons, so that the weak, being well armed, may confidently say, I am strong: yet, when thus collected and armed, Jehovah will bring down thy mighty ones; for so the clause in Joel 3:11 ; should be rendered. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 3:9

Verse 9 Some think these words were announced lest the people, being terrified by their evils, should become wholly dejected; and they elicit this meaning, — that God placed this dreadful spectacle of evils before their eyes, that the Jews might prepare and strengthen themselves for enduring them; that though nations should everywhere rise up, they might yet abide arm in the hope, that God would be the defender of his own Church. But the Prophet, I doubt not, continues the same discourse, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:9

pictures the proclamation and other preliminaries of war. Heralds are sent out to make proclamation among the nations. Prepare (margin, sanctify ) war . Certain formalities of a religious nature were customary among the heathen when war was proclaimed and prepared for. Thus also among the Jews supplication was made and sacrifices offered, as we read in 1 Samuel 7:8 , 1 Samuel 7:9 , that before the battle with the Philistines at Mizpeh, the people urged Samuel to make earnest... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:9-13

War and judgment. This is truly prophetic language; for the writer is not merely relating historical facts, or foretelling future events; he is uttering great moral and religions principles. The form these utterances assume is determined by the circumstances of Judah in the time of the prophet; but the truth enunciated is one which is universal and all-important. I. A PICTURE OF WAR . 1 . The vastness of the scale upon which it is conducted appears from the language employed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:9-14

Providence, preparation, and prevention. Circumstances of great solemnity and grandeur shall usher in the day of vengeance on the wicked sinners of every class, especially such as persecute and oppress the people of God. I. THE PROVIDENCE GOD AT WORK . Men propose, God disposes; they pursue their own individual plans, and yet all the while they are only carrying out the Divine purposes. A remarkable example of the wonderful scheme of God's providence is recorded in the fourth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:9-17

After a parenthesis of five verses, viz. 4-8, detailing the injurious treatment of the Jews by some of the surrounding nations, and the righteous retribution visited on those nations, the prophet resumes the subject broached at the beginning of the chapter, especially in Joel 3:2 , about the judgment to be visited on the nations in general. The verses now before us describe very graphically the execution of that judgment. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:9-17

Retribution. "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles," etc. Here is the first startling boom of the righteous retribution. Some think the reference is to the approach of Sennacherib, or Nebuchadnezzar, or Antiochus; but the language seems strong and grand enough to represent the approach of the last day. In this retributive scene there are several things observable. I. THE GREATEST RESISTANCE ABSOLUTELY FUTILE . "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joel 3:9

Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles - God having before said that He would “gather all nations,” now, by a solemn irony, bids them prepare, if, by any means, they can fight against Him. So in Isaiah; “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not... read more

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