Children Raised Joel 3:7

As Joel the prophet continued to share concerning the LORD's “recompense” against the “opposing nation” to Judah, he referred to how this “enemy” had “sold” the “children of Judah and Jerusalem” to the “Grecians” to “remove them far from their border”. In chapter three and verse seven of his prophesy, Joel shared how the LORD would “raise” these children “out of the place” where they “sold them” where we read:

Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them,

and will return your recompense upon your own head:

The verse begins, “Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them,...” Joel began with the word, “Behold will raise” or “rouse oneself, awake, incite, be excited and triumphant” “them out of the place” or “standing place, station, post, office, city, land or place of human abode” “whither you have sold them” which means “merchandise or sell”. The LORD promised that He would gather or “rouse” “the children” who had been “sold” by the enemy “nation”.

The verse goes on to say, “...and will return your recompense upon your own head:” Joel added, “and will return” or “turn or bring back, restore, refresh, repair and lead away, apostatize” “your recompense” which means “dealing, benefit, service, desert, reward or requital” “upon you own head” or “top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front and beginning”. Not only would the LORD “rouse” “the children” but He would bring “vengeance” upon the “nation” who did this.

When we think through these words of Joel, we might be reminded of Paul the apostle's word, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) Let us not be deceived, though there may be delay, the LORD will “recompense” those who oppose His people. Can we imagine how He will respond to those who reject His Son Jesus Christ? May all who read take heed.

Next time Joel shares how the LORD will “sell” the enemy nation's “children”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.