| Welcome to the Valley of Decision Joel 1:1-3:21
Threaded throughout Joel’s prophecy, we find the declaration of God’s final judgment upon a world in rebellion to Him. Most of our world chooses to reject the call to love our Maker with all our hearts and to love one another. When reading the warning from the Jewish prophets, it doesn’t take a Biblical scholar to discern all the tragic sorrows that are daily inflicted upon humanity because they are rooted in a rejection of these two overarching purposes of life. Humanity’s exaltation of loving “self” first has led to a world where love for God and our neighbor is a rarity. There is no way a just God will go on forever without holding the world and each individual in it accountable to Him. Judgment is surely coming for us first as individuals and then upon a world whose judgment will be like a disaster never before experienced in human history (Rev. 20:11-15). God gives a prophetic description of this throughout these three chapters. Revelations 6 through 19A gives a much fuller description of God’s judgment upon our world. In light of both our coming personal judgment and worldwide judgment, we should all take very seriously the fact that, in a real sense, we are all standing in “the valley of decision” (3:14). You may ask, therefore, “What is the decision to be made?” The decision is simple, yet by far the most difficult one we will ever make—simple because it is not complicated; difficult because it requires a response from every part of our being. It is to return to God with all our heart (2:12). Return to the first and most fundamental purpose of your existence. Let your life be centered on God. From there, live life based on that love—sending His Son out of love for us, to stand in our place for every single sin of every single person who has ever lived. Then turn to your neighbors and love them as God has loved you. It is this one decision that determines all other things. Who owns your heart produces what makes Heaven “heaven” and Hell “hell.” If God owns your heart, then you will bring to Heaven what will make Heaven so glorious—love. If self-idolatry owns your heart, you will bring to Hell what makes Hell so horrible—self-absorbed pride. The valley of decision will determine your eternity. | |
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| Proverbs 11:1-12:28
2 Hear this, you elders, 3 Tell your children about it, 4 What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; 5 Awake, you drunkards, and weep; 6 For a nation has come up against My land, 7 He has laid waste My vine, 8 Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth 9 The grain offering and the drink offering 10 The field is wasted, 11 Be ashamed, you farmers, 12 The vine has dried up, 13 Gird yourselves and lament, you priests; 14 Consecrate a fast, 15 Alas for the day! 16 Is not the food cut off before our eyes, 17 The seed shrivels under the clods, 18 How the animals groan! 19 O LORD, to You I cry out; 20 The beasts of the field also cry out to You, 1 Blow the trumpet in Zion, 2 A day of darkness and gloominess, 3 A fire devours before them, 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; 5 With a noise like chariots 6 Before them the people writhe in pain; 7 They run like mighty men, 8 They do not push one another; 9 They run to and fro in the city, 10 The earth quakes before them, 11 The LORD gives voice before His army, 12 “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; 14 Who knows if He will turn and relent, 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, 16 Gather the people, 17 Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, 18 Then the LORD will be zealous for His land, 19 The LORD will answer and say to His people, 20 “But I will remove far from you the northern army, 21 Fear not, O land; 22 Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; 23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, 24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, 25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, 26 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, 27 Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: 28 “And it shall come to pass afterward 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants 30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, 32 And it shall come to pass 1 “For behold, in those days and at that time, 2 I will also gather all nations, 3 They have cast lots for My people, 4 “Indeed, what have you to do with Me, 5 Because you have taken My silver and My gold, 6 Also the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem 7 “Behold, I will raise them 8 I will sell your sons and your daughters 9 Proclaim this among the nations: 10 Beat your plowshares into swords 11 Assemble and come, all you nations, 12 “Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; 13 Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! 15 The sun and moon will grow dark, 16 The LORD also will roar from Zion, 17 “So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, 18 And it will come to pass in that day 19 “Egypt shall be a desolation, 20 But Judah shall abide forever, 21 For I will acquit them of the guilt of bloodshed, whom I had not acquitted; | |
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| Joel 1:1-3:21 v. 2 you elders – old men abitants of the land – Joel’s message was spoken to the region of Judea v. 4 Chewing, swarming, crawling, consuming locust – This is a reference to one insect in four different stages. The locust would go from a caterpillar to a flying insect, then hatch a new generation that would continue the destruction. Although Joel’s primary reference to the locusts is literal; he was also speaking of four foreign military powers that would bring devastation to Judea with Rome being the last as well as the climax of Judea’s destruction. v. 5 new wine – The locusts would devour the fruit and vine so that it would take years for new fruit to grow. v. 6 a nation has come up against My land, strong and without number – This refers to the Chaldeans, who were mighty and numerous as described in the imagery of the locusts who brought great destruction because of the mass and size of their population. the fangs of a fierce lion – This may be speaking of the fierceness and cruelty of the Chaldean army which is also in harmony with the locust imagery, for the locust would not only cut down the fruit and vine but would actually gnaw on the doors of houses. v. 7 its branches are made white – Locust would chew away the protective bark and leave the wood exposed. v. 8 Lament like a virgin – This describes a woman, who is betrothed to a man. Although they have not consummated the marriage, they were still considered man and wife. It would be a horrible tragedy, to be waiting for the marriage day, only to lose the one she so passionately loved to death and would cause her great sorrow. sackcloth – An uncomfortable and rough material that was worn when someone was in great distress or mourning. In their culture, this was an outward sign of mourning and taking no comfort. v. 9 grain offering – This was made from fine flour, oil, and frankincense. drink offering – Wine made from grapes. These offerings were offered up to the Lord by the priests in the Temple. Because their crops and vineyards were laid to waste, they could not bring offerings to the Lord, which in turn caused the priests to mourn. v. 10 the oil fails – the oil was made from olives, which would have not escaped the destruction from the locusts v. 11 joy has withered away – There was great joy in the season of harvest when the farmers would reap their rewards for sowing and planting, but now there would be nothing to rejoice over. v. 14 Consecrate a fast – Joel was instructing the priests, whose job it was to appoint a fast or determine the times of religious services. sacred assembly – a time of restraint from work to devote to prayer and confession of sins elders – referring to age and office All the inhabitants of the land – meaning not just the leaders and magistrates, but everyone who would come to the Temple v. 15 The day of the Lord – Meaning the day of God’s judgment. Not only was Judea plagued with locust, but an invading army was on the way. destruction from the Almighty – This indicates that God allowed this army to invade as judgment for continued disobedience and indifference to God’s warnings. v. 19 fire has devoured the open pastures – Most scholars agree that the fire refers to the scorching heat, or describes the effect of the swarming locust that devoured everything in its path. v. 20 The beasts of the field also cry out to You – This seems to be indicating the pitiful moans from the cattle and sheep as they are suffering from extreme draught and lack of food and water. Joel 2v. 1 Blow the trumpet in Zion and sound the alarm in My holy mountain – The prophet Joel is instructing the priests to blow the trumpets in order to call assemblies or in this case to warn of coming danger. The trumpets would be blown in a broken quivering cadence called the tarantantara and everyone who heard it would know that danger was looming. The day of the Lord – usually means a day determined by the Lord to execute judgment and punishment v. 2 A day of clouds and thick darkness – A description of swarms of locusts that were so numerous they would block the light from the sun. A people come great and strong – Most scholars agree the prophet is referring to the Chaldeans and Babylonians, who had great populations and military might. These invasions are historically documented as well. v. 3 A fire devours before them and behind them a flame burns – This is speaking of the utter destruction the attackers would inflict on Judea. Like the Garden of Eden before them – The land was pleasant and fruitful until the armies swarmed through and left it desolate. v. 4 Like the appearance of horses – Locusts have heads that resemble a horse’s head. Revelation 9:1-11 seems to be a parallel passage. Like swift steeds – The Chaldean army was known for fierceness and fast horses. (See Jeremiah 4:13 5:15 and Habakkuk 1:6-8 for a further description of the Chaldeans.) v. 5 With a noise like chariots – Locust make a loud noise with their wings and hind legs. The noise of their eating has been described as the sound of a flame driven by the wind. v. 6 Before them the people writhe in pain – Terror for what has come upon them and all that would be devoured from their land. Drained of color – turning pale from utter fear Joel 3v. 1 in those days and at that time – Jewish scholars believe this refers to the Jews’ return from Babylonian captivity under the rule of Cyrus and Darius. Some Christian scholars also believe this is referring to the last days preceding the second coming of Christ. This prophecy seems to fit both the return from exile under the Babylonians as well as the latest miraculous return from exile after World War 2. v. 2 gather all nations – to cause them to come against Israel the Valley of Jehoshaphat – This literally means “the Valley of Jehovah’s Judgment.” This valley lies between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. This is where Jehoshaphat defeated the foes of Judah and where Israel overthrew the Tyrians, Zidonians, Philistines, Edomites, and Egyptians. These victories are a shadow of the final battle and judgment prophesied in Revelation 16:14. scattered among the nations – Israel has more than once been forced into exile and yet God has preserved this nation to this day. divided up My land – The surrounding nations often invaded Israel’s territory and divided the areas they had overrun. To this day, territory in Israel is violently disputed and many nations are involved in the argument, history is proving a solution does not seem attainable, but prophecy reveals that God will bring the solution in His righteous judgment. v. 3 They have cast lots for My people – When Israel’s enemies invaded, the soldiers would carry away captives and cast lots for the spoil. Josephus (the Jewish historian) recorded that 97,000 Jews were carried away by the Roman army. A boy as payment for a harlot…sold a girl for wine – This is describing the utter wretched state of Israel’s enemies and the corruption of the value of human life. v. 4 Indeed, what have you to do with Me – Although the said occupants were causing strife on God’s people, He views the attacks against His people as though they were being done to Him. Will you retaliate against me – God questions their intention and boldly warns them that they face a hastily and much quicker reprisal upon them. v. 5 Because you have taken My silver and My gold – Often times it was customary for the enemy to pillage and bring the treasures back to their temples of worship to hang as trophies. v. 6 Also the people of Judah – The Greeks were the descendents of Javan, a known human-trafficking merchant. Over time the Greeks took on the practice of human trafficking. That you may remove them far from their borders – To literally remove them from their homeland and disperse of them. v. 7 Behold, I will raise them out of the place to which you have sold them – The Greeks sold and dispersed the inhabitants to the point that those who were sold had absolutely no way of return. God will therefore bring them “back to life” from the near-death experience of hopelessness of ever seeing their homeland and return them to the place they call home. God will resurrect the return of his people to their land. And will return your retaliation upon your own head – There will be repayment and vengeance upon them for their treatment of Judah. v. 8 I will sell your sons and your daughters – Scholars write that Alexander fulfilled this prophecy. Alexander captured Tyre and 30,000 Tyrians were sold as slaves. Judah was a beneficiary of this vindication as many of the Tyrians were sold to Judah. And they will sell them to the Sabeans, To a people far off – Just like the Greeks’ intention to remove the inhabitants of Judah far from their borders, so to the Tyrians were in turn sold by Judah to the Sabeans who were a very distant remote people of Arabia. v. 9 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! – This is a declaration from God to His people. v. 10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears – Not a call to trained soldiers but the common individual: Pick up your working tool and turn it into a weapon. let the weak say, “I am strong” – Being weak from illness or having physical weakness is not an excuse to stay out of battle. This is an encouraging word to mentally prepare those who might say they are too weak to fight so therefore they will then heed the calling for war. v. 11 Assemble and come, all you nations, And gather together all around – In fulfillment of verse 2, a command is made to the enemies of Judah to amass as one from all over the land and assemble in the Valley of Jehoshaphat for their judgment. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O Lord – Scholars interpret the “mighty ones” as a reference to God’s army of angels to confront the enemies of Judah. v. 12 Let the nations be wakened – A challenge from God to the enemies of Judah to be provoked from their comfortable lifestyle of oppressing the people of Judah. For there I will sit to Judge – Almighty God will have the final say. He, as the Judge, will pass sentence upon the enemies. He will vindicate His people and will heed their cry for vengeance against their enemies. v. 13 Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe…the winepress is full – A series of analogies are used to describe the judgment of sinners. As the harvest signifies the gathering of crops so to the enemies will reap what they sowed and thus will face God’s impending judgment. For their wickedness is great – The judgment is in response to their sin. v. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! – The gathering place where the enemies of Judah faced God’s judgment. v. 15 The sun and the moon will grow dark, And the stars will diminish their brightness – Signs of what is to come before the judgment; a prophetic word that is similar to Matthew 24:29, 30. v. 16 The Lord also will roar from Zion – God will have his wrath against the enemies of Judah. He will not be gentle, as He is described as the lion of Judah. He is the defender and protector for His people. v. 17 So you shall know – God’s judgment will leave His imprint. People will know He is God, Jerusalem will be purified, and never again will God’s people suffer. v. 18 the mountains shall drip – God will restore the land and bless it with an abundance of water, allowing the land to be fruitful. v. 19 Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom a desolate wilderness – Egypt and Edom are specifically named because they were Judah’s primary enemies. v. 20 Judah shall abide forever – Bible scholars believe that Judah is used here in reference to all who call on the name of God. And they shall inherit eternal life. v. 21 I will acquit them of the guilt of bloodshed – God ends this book with a promise of forgiveness to those who repent. The Lord dwells in Zion – The final statement that proclaims His presence. He is among His people. | |
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| "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision." –Joel 3:14 Every day, in every way, we have a decision to make about following You, God. Every choice, every action can either reveal our love for You and glorify Your name, or reveal the self-idolatry we hold in our hearts. Show us the way, Lord, the way of You. | |
3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
1 The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
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