Joel 3:1

Bring again the captivity. This expression may describe a return from literal captivity or may be used metaphorically to describe a general return of prosperity (see on Ps. 14:7; see Introduction to Ps. 126). If the book of Joel was written shortly before the Babylonian captivity (see p. 21), there is probably a reference here to the return from that land. The expression is common in Jeremiah, and is thus applied (chs. 30:3, 18; 31:23; 32:44; 33:7).

The description of the return is in terms of how the promises of God would have met fulfillment if the nation of Israel had cooperated with God (see pp. 27-30; see on Eze. 37:1). The prosperity of Israel would have excited the enmity of the nations, who are here represented as gathered by God into the valley of Jehoshaphat. The prediction parallels that of Eze. 38, where Gog and his bands are represented as brought against Jerusalem, and there judged (see Zech. 14:1-3). The application of this prophecy to the future must be made on the basis of the revelation of the NT (see on Eze. 38:1; see p. 30).