3:2 valley of Jehoshaphat. The valley of Jehoshaphat is probably where the confederation of Ammon, Moab, and Edom were miraculously defeated when they came against Judah and King Jehoshaphat in the general region between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. It has also been suggested as the valley between Mount Zion and Mount Olivet. The exact location is unknown, but evidently the whole region will be filled with armies when God gathers all nations there, probably on their way to Armageddon (note II Chronicles 20). It may be centered around the valley of Berachah (II Chronicles 20:26).

3:2 parted my land. The land promised to Abraham, from the Nile to the Euphrates, has been “parted” by many nations in the four thousand years since. Most recently, the land was divided between Israel and Jordan by the United Nations in 1948, and has been in contention ever since.

3:6 Grecians. There is ample evidence that the Greek nation was well established and the Greek peoples widely known by the time of Joel. The prophet here looks beyond the Babylonian captivity to the subsequent Persian rule and then that of the Greek empire.

3:10 plowshares into swords. This exhortation is for the nations to prepare to fight the returning Savior (Revelation 16:13-14). Note its reversal when the battle of Armageddon is over, and Christ’s kingdom begins (Isaiah 2:4).

3:11 thy mighty ones. These “mighty ones” must be the armies of the saints with Christ in heaven, as they “come down” with Him to smite and judge the rebellious nations at Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21).

3:13 the harvest is ripe. Compare Revelation 14:18: “Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.”

3:14 valley of decision. “Decision” here means “judicial verdict.” The multitudes of the rebelling nations are about to be sentenced and executed!

3:15 withdraw their shining. Compare Joel 2:30-31. It is at this time that the full promise normally associated with Pentecost (Acts 2:19-20) will be completely fulfilled.

3:16 roar out of Zion. The Lord is “the lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5), and His powerful coming will be to the nations like the triumphant roar of a mighty lion, shaking the very heavens.

3:20 dwell for ever. God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David will surely be fulfilled, as they were unconditional and eternal.

3:21 LORD dwelleth in Zion. God Himself, in the person of His Son, will reign from the earthly Jerusalem for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6), then in the New Jerusalem for ever (Revelation 22:3-5).