Homilist Joel 3:1 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I. THERE HAVE EVER BEEN GOOD MEN ON EARTH. 1. "My people." They are His — (1) They have surrendered themselves to His will. (2) He has pledged them His loving guardianship. 2. "My heritage" (Exodus 19:5). He who owns the universe, esteems holy souls as the most valuable of His possessions. II. These good men on earth have GENERALLY BEEN SUBJECT TO PERSECUTION. "Whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted My land." There is a persecution that, whilst it does not involve bonds, imprisonments, and physical violences, involves the malice of hell, and inflicts grievous injury. There is social calumny, scorn, degradation, and various disabilities. III. Their persecution WILL BE AVENGED BY HEAVEN. "I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there, for My people and for My heritage Israel." Ah! the time hastens when persecutors of all types and ages will have full retribution dealt out to them in some great valley of Jehoshaphat. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,WEB: "For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, |
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