Joel 3:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Having warned the pagan nations of the disasters they have rightfully earned and the consequences of their evil deeds, He now addresses His own followers, whom He encourages to be unafraid and courageous, commanding them to gather the nations for battle and to rally them, despite their leanings towards peace and a non-combative existence. This is the work of the One who emboldens individuals and inspires them to believe that, under His protection, they can triumph over their adversaries. ‘Therefore,’ He instructs, ‘proclaim these truths among the nations and consecrate the host.’ The term 'consecrate' implies setting apart for Him, for He shall fight on behalf of His glory: those who have given His honor to wood and stone will perish. Everything associated with the term 'consecration' is always intended for the glory of God. Thus, He declares, ‘consecrate the host, assemble the fighting men'; and He also says, ‘bring forth all the men of the army.’ Let the farmer abandon his most cherished pursuits: let him turn his plow into a sword and his sickle into spears; for this is not a time for agriculture, but for avenging the disrespect shown to God. And if anyone feels inadequate, He says, let him not be discouraged by his weakness; if he wishes, let him even assert strength, but let him not lay down his arms. Therefore, He states, Gather all you inhabitants of Judea: let the humble take up arms; in other words, even if one is devoid of anger, let him engage in battle. Since no one is without support, let each individual proclaim the same, regardless of being a farmer, timid, or weary (which is indicated by the term 'weak'), even if he is gentle and not combative; let everyone stir themselves for battle: for I will not turn away from any individual; I will judge all in the valley of Jehoshaphat. The phrase ‘I will judge’ denotes that I will be a powerful judge, administering punishment upon those who have ravaged My land, who have divided Israel as spoils, who have given their young ones to harlots, and who have consumed the innocent as wine. The Lord will repeat this declaration against the adversaries of the Church who rise against the saints, arming themselves with all their multitude and strength. They will all fall, for He defends them and causes their downfall, while simultaneously safeguarding His worshippers through faith, hope, and love, and through the gifts of His grace.

In this interpretation, the saints will also be gathered against the foes of God, wielding their sickles to reap the ripe harvest of adversaries; they will tread the winepresses, for the time of grape gathering approaches, and the abundance of grape juice is so great that the winepresses cannot hold it. To understand the gathering of the grapes and the fullness of the winepress, it is noted that their iniquity is multiplied, indicating, without a doubt, those who have banded together against the Lord.

Others suggest that the nations have been summoned to the valley of Jehoshaphat for the purpose of preparing themselves and arming themselves with every type of weapon, to be harvested in that valley by the sickles of the Lord. The appointed time for judgment has arrived, and their iniquities have increased to the point that they exceed the patience of God. The Amorites were expelled when their sins had reached a critical threshold. The Jewish interpretation references Gog and Magog, the fierce nations mentioned earlier, suggesting that in the latter days, when Jerusalem is restored during the millennial reign, they will rise up against God's people and ultimately perish in the valley of Jehoshaphat, situated on the eastern side of the temple; for now is the time for their defeat and the shedding of blood, akin to the gathering of grapes.

20:1), but as a reference to the Lord’s impending judgment upon the nations. The Hebrew name Jehoshaphat translates to ‘The Lord is judge’ or ‘The Lord judges.’ Throughout the narrative, terms such as Jehoshaphat's Judgment Seat are interchanged with phrases like Judgment Field or Judgment Seat. Should this judgment prophecy pertain to the nations attacking Jerusalem, it is to be understood as the Lord, in His wrath as the just Judge, striking down the forces that approach the holy city. Historical records following the Babylonian exile indeed show several attempts by hostile nations to invade Judah and Jerusalem that ended in failure. Nevertheless, the prophet's vision extends beyond these isolated instances. While he may have acknowledged these events, he likely perceived them as mere foreshadowings of the greater universal judgment awaiting the adversaries of God's kingdom and the wicked in general. This prophecy of judgment against the nations should be interpreted broadly, especially in light of the preceding prophetic declaration regarding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all humanity and the salvation of anyone who calls on the name of the Lord, which applies to all nations. Furthermore, the New Testament also depicts a universal judgment that aligns with the latter portions of Joel's prophecy about the nations.

Based on Joel's prophecy, there has long been a belief—still held not only within Christianity but also among Jews and Muslims—that the site for the final judgment of the world will be the valley of Jehoshaphat near Jerusalem. This notion gains plausibility when considering that the universal judgment will manifest in the skies. The Judge Himself will descend from heaven and take His place upon the judgment throne in that realm, while the nations being judged will likewise be summoned before Him in the air. Although the valley may symbolize the location from which the Lord—the Judge—will oversee this judgment, the multitude of defendants will not physically gather there due to its narrowness; instead, they can fill the vast expanse above and around it. All nations will stand before the judgment, not only those hostile towards the Church but also those who have been part of it, facing just consequences. Among the latter, the unrepentant and wicked will face eternal condemnation.