Recompense for Recompense Joel 3:4

Joel the prophet described how the LORD would “gather the nations” who were not only against the people of Judah, but also were so cruel they would “cast lots” for His “people”, give a “boy for an harlot” and “sold a girl for wine”. In chapter three and verse four of his prophesy, Joel named “Tyre, Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine” as those who will receive “recompense for recompense” for their behavior where we read:

Yes, and what have you to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompense? and if you recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompense upon your own head;

The verse begins, “Yes, and what have you to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine?” Joel began with the phrase, “Yes, and what have you to do with me, O Tyre” which is all one Hebrew word “Tsor” and means “a rock” and was “the Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast, “and Zidon” or “hunting and was “an ancient Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast north of Tyre”, “and all the coasts” which refers to “the circuit, boundary and territory in Naphtali largely occupied by heathen; a circuit of towns around Kedesh-Naphtali, in which were situated the 20 towns given by Solomon to Hiram king of Tyre as payment for his work in conveying timber from Lebanon to Jerusalem” “of Palestine” which means “land of sojourners” and is “the general territory on the west coast of Canaan or the entire country of Palestine”. Even though the LORD gave a general idea about those who treated Israel badly, He named “Tyre” and “Zidon”, and “all the coasts of Palestine” as those specifically who were implicated.

The verse goes on to say, “will ye render me a recompense? and if you recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompense upon your own head;” Joel continued, “will you render” or “be in a covenant of peace or be at peace” “me a recompense” or “dealing, benefit, treatment, an act of good will and by implication service or requital”? “and if you recompense me” which means “deal fully or bountifully with, repay and requite” “swiftly” or “lightly or fleetingly” “and speedily” or “haste, hurried, promptly, quickly, shortly and soon” “will I return” which means “turn back or come back” “your recompense” or “dealing, benefit, treatment, an act of good will and by implication service or requital” “upon your own head” which means “at the top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front and beginning”. The LORD's idea was that should “Tyre, Zidon and all the coasts of Palestine” “injure Him or His people”, He would quickly “requite” them very quickly.

When we think through these words of Joel, we begin to understand the resolve of the LORD to defend His people. Though they may face assault and injury for a time, the LORD is certain and sure to cast revenge upon His people's enemies. We should remember this as we consider our relationship with Jesus Christ. Though others may come against the Christian, the LORD is certain and sure to “recompense” them with the “recompense” they have exercised. May all who read these words take heed, and should we not be aligned with the LORD Jesus, let us remember, He repays “swiftly” and “speedily” those who are against Him.

Next time Joel shares the reason why God will “return” a “recompense”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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