Joel 3:9-16
3:9 a The nations are mockingly called to a futile war against the Lord that would end in their destruction and judgment.3:10 b Hammer your plowshares into swords: Deliberately reversing an image from Isa 2:4 c and Mic 4:3 d, Joel ordered the nations to mobilize every resource for the forthcoming battle. Even those unfit for war, the weaklings, must become soldiers.
3:12 e The battle would take place in the valley of Jehoshaphat (see study note on 3:2-3), where the Lord would pronounce judgment on them all.
3:13 f God would defeat the nations like a sickle that mows down stalks of grain and like workers who tread grapes in the winepress (see Isa 63:2-3 g; Rev 14:14-20 h).
3:14 i Thousands upon thousands (literally roaring, roaring; or crowds, crowds): The repetition of the Hebrew word captures the chaotic noise made by an immense crowd.
• valley of decision: The name of the valley is changed (cp. 3:2-3 j, 12 k) because now the Lord’s judgment had been decided.
3:16 l The Lord’s voice, like that of a lion, would roar from Zion, shaking heaven and earth and terrifying sinners (see Amos 1:2 m). Yet this same ferocious lion is also a refuge for his people.
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