Joel 3:17
Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy, never again to be overrun by foreigners.
Then you will know
This phrase signifies a future revelation and understanding. In the Hebrew text, the word for "know" is "יָדַע" (yada), which implies an intimate, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual awareness. This suggests a deep, personal relationship with God, where His presence and power are unmistakably recognized by His people. Historically, this points to a time of divine intervention and fulfillment of God's promises, where His actions will be so evident that there will be no doubt of His sovereignty.

that I am the LORD your God
The declaration "I am the LORD your God" is a profound assertion of God's identity and His covenant relationship with His people. The Hebrew name for God here is "YHWH" (Yahweh), which is the personal, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature. This phrase reassures the Israelites of God's unchanging commitment to them, echoing the covenantal language found throughout the Old Testament, where God repeatedly affirms His role as their protector and provider.

who dwells in Zion
The term "dwells" comes from the Hebrew "שָׁכַן" (shakan), meaning to reside or inhabit. Zion, often synonymous with Jerusalem, is not just a physical location but a symbol of God's holy presence among His people. This phrase underscores the idea of God choosing to make His dwelling place among His people, highlighting the intimacy and accessibility of God. Archaeologically, Zion is a significant site, representing the spiritual center of Israel and the focal point of God's redemptive plan.

My holy mountain
"Mountain" in biblical terms often represents a place of divine revelation and encounter. The adjective "holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh) signifies something set apart for God's purposes. This phrase emphasizes the sanctity and significance of Zion as a place where God's presence is uniquely manifest. Throughout scripture, mountains are places where God reveals Himself, such as Mount Sinai with Moses, reinforcing the idea of Zion as a sacred space where God and humanity meet.

Jerusalem will be holy
This declaration speaks to the future purification and sanctification of Jerusalem. The city, often marred by sin and idolatry, will be transformed into a place of holiness, reflecting God's character. The Hebrew word for "holy" again is "קָדוֹשׁ" (qadosh), indicating a complete dedication to God. This transformation is a fulfillment of prophetic promises, where Jerusalem becomes a beacon of God's righteousness and glory.

never again will foreigners invade her
This promise of security and peace is significant in the historical context of Israel, which faced numerous invasions and occupations. The term "foreigners" refers to those outside the covenant community who often brought destruction and idolatry. The assurance that they will "never again" invade speaks to a future time of divine protection and stability, where God's people will live in peace, free from external threats. This reflects the eschatological hope of a restored and secure Jerusalem under God's eternal reign.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, emphasizing His sovereignty and faithfulness to His people.

2. Zion
A term often used to refer to Jerusalem, specifically the hill where the city of David was built, symbolizing God's presence and His chosen dwelling place.

3. Jerusalem
The capital city of Israel, representing the center of worship and the future hope of God's people.

4. Foreigners
In this context, those who are not part of God's covenant people, often seen as invaders or those who defile the holy city.

5. The Day of the LORD
An eschatological event where God intervenes in history to judge nations and restore His people.
Teaching Points
God's Presence and Holiness
Recognize that God's presence sanctifies a place and a people. As believers, we are called to be holy because God is holy.

The Significance of Jerusalem
Understand the historical and prophetic significance of Jerusalem as a symbol of God's eternal covenant and future hope for His people.

The Assurance of God's Sovereignty
Trust in God's ultimate plan and sovereignty, knowing that He will fulfill His promises and establish His kingdom.

The Call to Holiness
Reflect on the call to live a life set apart for God, avoiding spiritual defilement and seeking purity in our walk with Him.

The Hope of Restoration
Find hope in the promise of restoration and renewal, both personally and corporately, as God works to bring about His perfect kingdom.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the historical and spiritual significance of Zion and Jerusalem enhance our appreciation of God's promises in Joel 3:17?

2. In what ways can we experience God's presence in our lives today, similar to how He dwells in Zion?

3. How does the concept of holiness in Joel 3:17 challenge us to live differently in our current cultural context?

4. What parallels can we draw between the prophecy in Joel 3:17 and the vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21?

5. How can we apply the assurance of God's sovereignty and future restoration to our personal struggles and the challenges faced by the church today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 48
Celebrates Zion as the city of God, highlighting its beauty and strength as a place where God is known and revered.

Isaiah 52
Speaks of the holiness of Jerusalem and the return of God's people, emphasizing the purity and sanctity of the city.

Revelation 21
Describes the New Jerusalem, where God dwells with His people, and there is no more defilement or sin.

Zechariah 14
Prophesies about the LORD's reign from Jerusalem and the holiness that will characterize the city in the end times.
The Lord's Holy Dwelling-PlaceJ.R. Thomson Joel 3:17
RetributionD. Thomas Joel 3:9-17
The Final Battle Between Good and EvilJ. S. Exell, M. A.Joel 3:9-17
People
Grecians, Javan, Jehoshaphat, Joel, Zidon
Places
Edom, Egypt, Jerusalem, Philistia, Sidon, Tyre, Valley of Jehoshaphat, Valley of Shittim, Zion
Topics
Dwell, Dwelling, Foreigners, Hill, Holy, Invade, Jerusalem, Mountain, Pass, Strange, Strangers, Zion
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joel 3:17

     1065   God, holiness of
     1513   Trinity, mission of
     4010   creation, renewal
     8270   holiness, set apart

Joel 3:16-17

     7271   Zion, as symbol

Joel 3:16-18

     9145   Messianic age

Joel 3:17-18

     4245   hills

Library
The Gospel Day Seen in Prophecy.
Upon reading the account of man's creation in the first chapters of Genesis we conclude that he enjoyed perfect peace and happiness. From the beautiful description given there of the garden of Eden--man's abode--we understand that God was interested in his felicity. In the nature of created things he could retain this happiness only by obedience to the Creator's laws. By a subtle foe he was induced to transgress those laws and thus became acquainted with sin and sorrow. After the transgression he
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

Whether the Judgment Will Take Place in the Valley of Josaphat?
Objection 1: It would seem that the judgment will not take place in the valley of Josaphat or in the surrounding locality. For at least it will be necessary for those to be judged to stand on the ground, and those alone to be raised aloft whose business it will be to judge. But the whole land of promise would not be able to contain the multitude of those who are to be judged. Therefore it is impossible for the judgment to take place in the neighborhood of that valley. Objection 2: Further, to Christ
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Post-Millennialism Refuted.
The post-millennial position rests largely upon a mis-translation. In Matt. 13:39 we read "The harvest is the end of the world," and again in Matt. 24:3--"And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Now the Greek word which is used in the above passages is entirely different from the one found in John 3:16--"God so loved the Kosmos." In the verses
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Battle of Armageddon.
The Battle of Armageddon! What extravagant speculations have been indulged concerning it! What unscriptural theories have been entertained respecting it! To begin with; this appears from the term employed. Nowhere in the Bible do we read of "The Battle of Armageddon." The Scriptural expression is "The Battle of that great day of God Almighty" (Rev. 16:14). This Battle of the great day of God Almighty will bring the Tribulation period to a close and will witness the return of Christ to the earth to
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Valley of Hinnom.
A great part of the valley of Kedron was called also the 'Valley of Hinnom.' Jeremiah, going forth into the valley of Hinnom, went out by the gate "Hacharsith, the Sun-gate," Jeremiah 19:2; that is, the Rabbins and others being interpreters, 'by the East-gate.' For thence was the beginning of the valley of Hinnom, which, after some space, bending itself westward, ran out along the south side of the city. There is no need to repeat those very many things, which are related of this place in the Old
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Great Assize
[i.e., The Last Judgment -- GL] [21] "We shall all stand before the judgement-seat of Christ." Rom. 14:10. 1. How many circumstances concur to raise the awfulness of the present solemnity! -- The general concourse of people of every age, sex, rank, and condition of life, willingly or unwillingly gathered together, not only from the neighboring, but from distant, parts; criminals, speedily to be brought forth and having no way to escape; officers, waiting in their various posts, to execute the orders
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

On the Various Names and Titles
Man is the total human or the mind; in Genesis: God made man after His own image and likeness. And in a bad part of the psalm: arise, o Lord, let not man prevail, here is flesh or the devil. [Gen. 1:27; Ps. 9:20(19)] The man is the spirit, that is, the mind; in the apostle: man is the head of woman. Man is the same in a bad part of Genesis: the virgin was fair of face and not known to any man, that is, the devil, who corrupts the mind greatly with imagining. [I Cor. 11:3; Gen. 24:16-18] The woman
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the Mother of all the Godly.
1. The church now to be considered. With her God has deposited whatever is necessary to faith and good order. A summary of what is contained in this Book. Why it begins with the Church. 2. In what sense the article of the Creed concerning the Church is to be understood. Why we should say, "I believe the Church," not "I believe in the Church." The purport of this article. Why the Church is called Catholic or Universal. 3. What meant by the Communion of Saints. Whether it is inconsistent with various
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Discourse on Spiritual Food and True Discipleship. Peter's Confession.
(at the Synagogue in Capernaum.) ^D John VI. 22-71. ^d 22 On the morrow [the morrow after Jesus fed the five thousand] the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea [on the east side, opposite Capernaum] saw that there was no other boat there, save one, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples went away alone 23 (howbeit there came boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they ate the bread after that the Lord had given thanks): 24 when the multitude
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

On Earthly Things
The earth is man himself; in the gospel: another has fallen into the good earth. The same in a bad part about the sinner: you devour the earth all the days of your life. [Mark 4:18; Genesis 3:14] The dry lands are the flesh of a fruitless man; in Ecclesiastes, to work in a dry land with evil and sorrow. [Ecclesiastes 37:3] The dust is a sinner or the vanity of the flesh; in the psalm: like the dust, which the wind blows about. [Ps. 1:4 Vulgate] The mud is the gluttony of sinners; in the psalm: tear
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of the Exceeding Mercy of God in Christ, to his Poor Servant, John Bunyan
In this my relation of the merciful working of God upon my soul, it will not be amiss, if in the first place, I do in a few words give you a hint of my pedigree, and manner of bringing up; that thereby the goodness and bounty of God towards me, may be the more advanced and magnified before the sons of men. 2. For my descent then, it was, as is well known by many, of a low and inconsiderable generation; my father's house being of that rank that is meanest, and most despised of all the families in
John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end.
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished;
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Memoir of John Bunyan
THE FIRST PERIOD. THIS GREAT MAN DESCENDED FROM IGNOBLE PARENTS--BORN IN POVERTY--HIS EDUCATION AND EVIL HABITS--FOLLOWS HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS AS A BRAZIER--ENLISTS FOR A SOLDIER--RETURNS FROM THE WARS AND OBTAINS AN AMIABLE, RELIGIOUS WIFE--HER DOWER. 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.'--2 Cor 4:7 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.'--Isaiah 55:8. 'Though ye have lien among the
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Joel
The book of Joel admirably illustrates the intimate connection which subsisted for the prophetic mind between the sorrows and disasters of the present and the coming day of Jehovah: the one is the immediate harbinger of the other. In an unusually devastating plague of locusts, which, like an army of the Lord,[1] has stripped the land bare and brought misery alike upon city and country, man and beast--"for the beasts of the field look up sighing unto Thee," i. 20--the prophet sees the forerunner of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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