Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Joel
Book: Joel
Chapter: 3
Overview:
God's judgments in the latter days.
(1-8) The extent of these
judgments.
(9-17) The blessings the
Church shall enjoy.
(18-21)
1-8 The restoration of the Jews, and the final victory of true
religion over all opposers, appear to be here foretold. The
contempt and scorn with which the Jews have often been treated
as a people, and the little value set upon them, are noticed.
None ever hardened his
Heart against
God or his
Church, and
prospered long.
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.
18-21 There shall be abundant Divine influences, and the
Gospel
will spread speedily into the remotest corners of the
Earth.
These events are predicted under significant emblems; there is a
Day coming, when every thing amiss shall be amended. The
Fountain of this plenty is in the
House of
God, whence the
streams take rise.
Christ is this
Fountain; his sufferings,
merit, and
Grace, cleanse, refresh, and make fruitful.
Gospel
Grace, flowing from
Christ, shall reach to the Gentile world, to
the most remote regions, and make them abound in fruits of
Righteousness; and from the
House of the
Lord above, from his
heavenly
Temple, flows all the good we daily taste, and
Hope to
enjoy eternally.