The End Time Bible Commentary

This chapter prophesies the end-time return of Jewish exiles to Judah and Jerusalem (v1), followed by a gathering of all nations for the battle of Armageddon in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. 'Jehoshaphat' means 'the Lord has judged'. Verse 1 starts with 'For look,' making a connection with the previous chapter. It is possible that chapter 3 should be understood as the more literal explanation for what is described metaphorically in chapter 2.

According to verse 2, God will judge the nations because of their treatment of the people of Israel. God says they scattered the people of Israel among the nations and partitioned 'my land'. They traded Jewish children as sex slaves (v3), sold his people to the Ionians (Ionia included Greece and the western coast of Turkey) (v6), and plundered their valuables (v5). He particularly accuses Tyre and Sidon (Lebanon) and Philistia (Gaza). God promises to bring the Jews back from the places to which they sold them, and to avenge what these nations have done against the Jews. In verse 8, God says he will sell the sons and daughters of these nations to the people of Judah, who will sell them to the Sabeans. Sabeans were the people of the Yemeni kingdom of Saba, but may just represent far away nations.

When does all this happen? The modern-day return of Jewish exiles to Israel (known as 'Aliyah') began in 1882 after the establishment of the Zionist movement, and accelerated after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. There were also much smaller examples of Pre-Zionist Aliyah in the preceding centuries. So verse 1 has already been fulfilled, although various scriptures indicate there will be a more complete Aliyah at the beginning of the Millennium. It is likely that the scattering of Jews and partitioning of their land refers to the invasion of the Antichrist and his allies at the beginning of the Great Tribulation (Ezekiel 38 and Zechariah 14). It is also possible that international pressure on Israel causes her to accept a partitioning of the land in the form of a Two-State solution, perhaps as part of Antichrist's peace treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27).

Why does God call out Lebanon and Philistia? Habakkuk 2:17 seems to indicate that Antichrist will conquer Lebanon, and Ezekiel 28 then identifies Antichrist as the ruler of Tyre. So Lebanon becomes part of Antichrist's empire. At the second coming, Jesus conquers Lebanon (Isaiah 10:34). It is also possible that Hezbollah from Lebanon and Hamas from Gaza will join with the Antichrist in his invasion of Israel. Slave-trading, including trafficking of sex-slaves, has been practiced by Muslims since the time of Mohammed, and was recently practiced by ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Zechariah 14:2 describes the end-time fall of Jerusalem to the Antichrist, including the houses being plundered and the women raped. Such rape and child-slavery are consistent with a Muslim invasion of Jerusalem.

Verses 9 to 16 are a call to the nations to gather for holy war in the land of Israel. Verses 10 to 12 portray farmers beating their metal farm tools into swords and spears, and call the weak to say "I too am a warrior". This portrays a military call-up, not just of professional armies, but also civilians. They are called to lend their aid and come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, where God will sit in judgment on the surrounding nations (v12). The 'surrounding nations' refers to nations around Israel that are part of Antichrist's empire. According to Micah 5:5, when the Assyrian (the Antichrist) invades Israel, God will raise up seven 'shepherds', representing seven nations, to resist the Antichrist. So it is likely that some of the nations that gather for the battle of Armageddon will be there to fight for Israel, against the Antichrist, in a kind of end-time crusade. In verse 11b the prayer "Bring down, O LORD, your warriors" may refer to resurrected and raptured believers who will come with Jesus to fight for Israel at the battle of Armageddon. Verse 14 describes the crowds gathering in the valley of decision. These soldiers need to decide which side they are fighting on, because they will be judged accordingly. The sun, moon and stars will be darkened (v15) as an end-time sign to warn people that they need to make the right decision. Jesus will roar from Zion, his voice will bellow out, and he will be a refuge and stronghold for the Jews (v16). His roar is a battle cry, but also depicts him as the Lion of Judah. Various scriptures portray Jesus using his voice as a mighty weapon at the battle of Armageddon (Isaiah 11:4, 30:27-28 and Psalm 29). Verse 13 is a picture of Jesus harvesting the nations for judgment, stomping the winepress of God's wrath, as in Isaiah 63:3 and Revelation 19:15.

Verses 17 to 21 portray the aftermath of the battle. The Jews will know Jesus as the Lord their God, dwelling in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be holy and secure (v17). Water will flow from the temple and water the Valley of Acacias (v18). This is not a known location, but acacia trees are desert trees that can grow in the most arid places. In other words, this water from the temple will bring life, even to the most dry and arid parts of Israel. All the dry stream beds will flow with water, the mountains will drip with wine and the hills with milk (v18). In other words, the land will become fully fertile for both sheep and agriculture. Egypt will be desolate (v19), implying God's judgment on Egypt for fighting against Israel. This will fulfil the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel against Egypt which were only partially fulfilled by the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar in 568 BC. Ezekiel 29:12 prophesies that Egypt will remain desolate for 40 years, after which it will be restored. Isaiah 19 prophesies that Egypt will be judged by God (Jesus) and the Jews, but ultimately be restored and blessed. Verse 19 also prophesies that Edom will become desolate. Edom refers to southern Jordan and north-western Saudi-Arabia. Many scriptures portray its end-time judgment (Search by Place: Edom). Jerusalem and Judah will be secure forever (v20), and God will live there (v21).