Proclaim and Prepare War Joel 3:9

Joel the prophet declared how the LORD would “sell” the “sons and daughters” of the nation who invaded Judah “into the hand of the children of Judah” who would then “sell them to the Sabeans”. In chapter three and verse nine of his prophesy, Joel tells the opposing people to “proclaim and prepare war” where we read:

Proclaim this among the Gentiles; Prepare war,

wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

The verse begins, “Proclaim this among the Gentiles; Prepare war,...” Joel began with the word, “Proclaim” which means “call out, recited, read, summon, appoint and endow” “this among the Gentiles” which refers to “nations usually of non-Hebrew people”; “Prepare” or “consecrate, sanctify, dedicate, be hallowed, holy, sanctified and separate” “war” which means “battle or fighting”. The LORD's warning and challenge through Joel was for the “non-Hebrew nations” to “dedicate and separate” themselves for battle.

The verse goes on to say, “...wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:” Joel continued with the words, “wake up” or “awake, rouse up, incite, stir up, be excited or triumphant” “the mighty men” which refers to “strong, brave and powerful men”, “let all the men” which means “people and mankind ” “of war” or “battle or fighting” “draw near” which means “approach or bring”; “let them come up” or “ascend, spring up, grow, shoot forth or rise”. Joel called upon the enemy “nation” to “rouse” “all” their “strong, brave and powerful men” and let them “approach and ascend” to the place of war.

When we think through these words of Joel, we see the LORD's call for His enemies to ready themselves for “battle”. Can we imagine any nation that could stand against Him? It is a losing situation for anyone who would dare stand against the LORD. What do we think the LORD will be like for those who reject His Son Jesus as their Savior and Lord? Let us realize the LORD is serious about His people, and if enemy nations come against God's people, woe be unto them as they “prepare for war”.

Next time Joel tells the people to “beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears”, 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.