Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 20

 The Lord Had Pity

But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. Joel 2:20

But I will... The Lord next announced that the threat described in Joel 2:1-11 would be averted (Joel 2:20).

But I will remove far off...

רָחַק

râchaq

raw-khak'

A primitive root; to widen (in any direction), that is, (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation): - (a, be, cast, drive, get, go, keep [self], put, remove, be too, [wander], withdraw) far (away, off), loose, X refrain, very, (be) a good way (off).

עַל

‛al

al

Properly the same as H5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural, often with prefix, or as conjugation with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications: - above, according to (-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through (-out), to, touching, X with.

you the northern army...

צְפוֹנִי

ts^ephônı̂y

tsef-o-nee'

From H6828; northern: - northern.

פָּנִים

pânı̂ym

paw-neem'

Plural (but always used as a singular) of an unused noun (פָּנֶה pâneh, paw-neh'; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.): - + accept, a (be-) fore (-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of), + beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront (-part), form (-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him (-self), + honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look [-eth] (-s), X me, + meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on, open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please, presence, prospect, was purposed, by reason, of, + regard, right forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street, X thee, X them (-selves), through (+ -out), till, time (-s) past, (un-) to (-ward), + upon, upside (+ down), with (-in, + stand), X ye, X you.

toward...

אֶל אֵל

'êl 'el

ale, el

(Used only in the shortened constructive form (the second form)); a primitive particle, properly denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, that is, near, with or among; often in general, to: - about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because (-fore, -side), both . . . and, by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in (-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to (-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in).

the east sea... The east sea could be the Dead Sea or the Euphrates and the Persian Gulf. He would turn against the very army He had been bringing against His disobedient people (cf. Joel 2:11), driving it into the desert a parched and barren land and the seas (the eastern sea and the western sea, probably the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, cf. Zec. 14:8).

the east...

קַדְמֹנִי קַדְמוֹנִי

qadmônı̂y qadmônı̂y

kad-mo-nee', kad-mo-nee'

From H6930; (of time) anterior or (of place) oriental: - ancient, they that went before, east, (thing of) old.

Sea...

יָם

yâm

yawm

From an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article) the Mediterranean; sometimes a large river, or an artificial basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south: - sea (X -faring man, [-shore]), south, west (-ern, side, -ward).

the utmost sea... The utmost sea is the Mediterranean.

and his hinder part...

סוֹף

sôph

sofe

From H5486; a termination: - conclusion, end, hinder part.

toward... see above.

the utmost sea...

אַחֲרֹן אַחֲריֹן

'achăryôn 'achărôn

akh-ar-one', akh-ar-one'

From H309, hinder; generally late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western: - after (-ward), to come, following, hind (-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter)most.

and his stink... The carcasses’ stench would permeate the air. As in Joel 2:1-11, the language, though alluding to a literal army (cf. Isa. 34:3; Amos 4:10), applies to locusts as well. Eyewitness accounts tell how dead locusts, having been driven into the sea and then washed ashore, gave out a foul odor. See Eze. 39:11-16.

בְּאשׁ

b^e'ôsh

be-oshe'

From H887; a stench: - stink.

shall come up...

עָלָה

‛âlâh

aw-law'

A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or active (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literally and figuratively: - arise (up). (cause to) ascend up, at once, break [the day] (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, + shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up), grow (over), increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, [make] up, X mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, + perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.

and his ill savour...

צַחֲנָה

tsachănâh

tsakh-an-aw'

From an unused root meaning to putrefy; stench: - ill savour.

shall come up... see above.

because...

כִּי

kı̂y

kee

A primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjugation or adverb; often largely modified by other particles annexed: - and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured [-ly], + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, who, yea, yet,

he hath done...

עָשָׂה

‛âśâh

aw-saw'

A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application: - accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress (-ed), (put in) execute (-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, [fight-] ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfil, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ([a feast]), X indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, practice, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin, spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be [warr-] ior, work (-man), yield, use.

great things...

גָּדַל

gâdal

gaw-dal'

A primitive root; properly to twist (compare H1434), that is, to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride): - advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, be (-come, do, give, make, wax), great (-er, come to. . estate, + things), grow (up), increase, lift up, magnify (-ifical), be many set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly [spoken], tower.

Again, The Lord next announced that the threat described in Joel 2:1-11 would be averted (Joel 2:20). He would turn against the very army He had been bringing against His disobedient people (cf. Joel 2:11), driving it into the desert (a parched and barren land) and the seas (the eastern sea and the western sea, probably the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, cf. Zec. 14:8).

As noted in the Introduction, the designation northern army lit., northerner suggests that a literal army is ultimately in view. If the northerner is yet future eschatological, the army is possibly the army in Joel 3:9, 3:12; Dan. 11:40; and Zec. 14:2. But if the reference is strictly historical, any precise identification of the army is precluded by the uncertainty surrounding the date of authorship. So in this case it would not be clear to what extent, if any, Joel 2:20 was historically fulfilled in Joel’s day. If the invasion threatened in Joel 2:1-11 had not actually begun, the language of Joel 2:20 need not refer to a historical event. It would simply be a vivid and concrete way of saying that the destruction planned by the Lord had been averted at the last moment.

Book of 1 John Chapter 3 Vs. 1

 Father Hath Bestowed

I John 3:1 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."

Behold, what manner... Look upon it and wonder at the kind and quantity of love the Father has given freely and without merit to men (Eph. 3:17-19; Rom. 8:35-39).

Behold (ἴδετε)

Lit., behold ye. The plural is peculiar. The usual form is the singular ἴδε or ἰδού. See John 1:29; 11:3, etc.; 4:35; 19:26, 19:27. Elsewhere the plural is used of something actually visible (Gal. 6:11).

what manner of (ποταπὴν)

The word is of infrequent occurrence in the New Testament, but is found in all the Synoptists and in 2Pet. 3:11. Only here in John's writings. Originally it means from what country or race; then, of what sort or quality. It is used of the quality of both persons and things.

hath bestowed upon... Bestowed is in the perfect tense, suggesting the enduring effect of the love God has given.

hath bestowed (δέδωκεν)

Emphasizing the endowment of the receiver. Compare χαρίζομαι, from χάρις grace, favor, which emphasizes the goodwill of the giver. See Gal. 3:18; Phlp. 2:9; 1:29.

that (ἵνα)

Some of the more subtle phases of John's thought cannot be apprehended without a careful study of this often-recurring conjunction. It is still claimed by some grammarians that it is used to mark, not only design and end, but also result. But it may fairly be claimed that its predominant sense is intent, purpose, purport, or object. Hence that, as representing ἵνα, is to be taken in the sense of to the end or intent that; in order that. Here the use of the word is very subtle and suggestive, as well as beautiful. No man hath greater love than this (love), which, in its original conception, was intended and designed to reach to the extent of sacrificing life for a friend. Christ, therefore, here gives us more than a mere abstract comparison and more than a merely human gauge of love. He measures love according to its divine, original, far-reaching intent. John 15:13.

we should be called (κληθῶμεν)

Or, named. As Mat. 2:23; 21:13; Luke 1:13, 1:31, etc. The verb is never used by John of the divine call. In John 10:3, for καλεῖ calleth, read φωνεῖ.

sons of God... Sons by adoption (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5), not by begetting as in the case of Christ, who is the only begotten Son of God (John 1:14, 1:18; 3:16, 3:18).

the sons (τέκνα)

Rev., more correctly, children. Son is υἱός. Τέκνον, child (τίκτω, to bring forth), denotes a relation based on community of nature, while υἱός, Son, may indicate only adoption and heirship. See Gal. 4:7. Except in Rev. 21:7, which is a quotation, John never uses υἱός to describe the relation of Christians to God, since he regards their position not as a result of adoption, but of a new life. Paul, on the other hand, regards the relation from the legal standpoint, as adoption, imparting a new dignity and relation (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5, 4:6). See also Jas. 1:18; 1Pet. 1:3, 1:23, where the point of view is John's rather than Paul's. Τέκνον, indicating the relationship of man to God, occurs in John 1:12; 11:52; 1Jhn. 3:1, 3:2, 3:10; 5:2, and always in the plural. See on John 1:12.

Believers are children of God by virtue of being born of Him (2:29). Jesus stressed a connection between how the world related to God and how it would in turn relate to Christ’s true followers (John 15:18). After God the phrase and we are should be added, according to many ancient manuscripts.

And such we are (καὶ ἐσμεν)

Lit., and we are. Added by Rev., according to the best texts. A parenthetical, reflective comment, characteristic of John. See on 1Jhn. 1:2.

This out-burst of wonder introduces the third feature of the believer’s hope in 2:28-3:3. The believer’s hope is strengthened by the fact that God’s love initiated his salvation (Eph. 1:3-6).

Chris’s return will unite the believer with the heavenly Father who loves His child with an immeasurable love. John expresses utter astonishment at God’s love for believers in making them His children (Romans 8:17).

The Love of God for the people of the world is hard to understand. Behold, means stop and notice. The love the Father "bestowed" tells us that we did not earn that love; it was a free gift from God. God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that we might be saved.

knoweth us not... The world will not acknowledge or approve of doctrines and manner of life of the adopted sons, because it did not approve of Christ, the only begotten Son.

The real aliens in the world are not extra terrestrials but Christians. Having been born again, given a new nature of heavenly origin, Christians display a nature and lifestyle like their Savior and heavenly Father; a nature totally foreign (other worldly) to the unsaved (1 Col. 2:15, 16; 1 Peter 4:3-4).

No wonder Scripture describes Christians as aliens, exiles, and strangers (Heb. 11:13; 1Pet. 1:1; 2:11). The Lord Jesus was unearthly in origin, and so are those born again. Our true transformed lives have not yet been manifested.

Jesus paid the price of adoption for us to be adopted children of the Father. Jesus is the only begotten Son. We are sons by adoption. We have been bought and paid for by the precious blood of Jesus. We have been presented to the Father by the Son.

The world does not know God. It did not know the Son. It does not recognize us as adopted sons, either.

This verse begins with the word idete behold, look at, not translated in the NIV. The writer had just told the readers how to see the reality of new birth in righteous behavior; now he invited them to contemplate the greatness of the divine love which that reality displays. Behold how great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. In the Bible the word called indicates that this is what one actually is (cf. called to be holy, lit., called saints [1Cor. 1:2]). Believers are called children of God because they are the born ones tekna of the Father.

The perception to which John invited his readers is, however, lost on the world. Since the world… did not know Him God or Christ, it can hardly be expected to recognize believers as His children. This kind of discernment about others is a distinctively Christian perception.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 19

 The Lord Had Pity

Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: Joel 2:19

Yea, the Lord... By his prophets, as or, the Lord answered and said, while they were praying and weeping, or as soon as they cried unto him in repentance. Or, however, praying to him, they might assure themselves that he heard them, and would answer them both by words and deeds.

יְהֹוָה

y^ehôvâh

yeh-ho-vaw'

From H1961; (the) self-Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: - Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050, H3069.

Behold, I will... That is, cause the earth to bring forth corn, as wheat and barley, and the vines and olive trees to bring forth grapes and olives, from which wine and oil might be made. This is, according to some interpreters, to be understood of an abundance of spiritual blessings.

Behold...

הֵן

hên

hane

A primitive particle; lo! also (as expressing surprise) if: - behold, if, lo, though.

I will send...

שָׁלַח

shâlach

shaw-lakh'

A primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications): - X any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).

and ye shall... With each and every of the above things, corn, wine, and oil; they should not only have them, but have enough of them. Even to beyond the point of satisfaction.

שָׂבֵעַ שָׂבַע

śâba‛ śâbêa‛

saw-bah', saw-bay'-ah

A primitive root; to sate, that is, fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively): - have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of.

and I will... For want of food, and as if forsaken of God (see Joel 2:17).

They did not deserve it, but God will forgave them, and restored their land.

לֹה לוֹא לֹא

lô' lô' lôh

lo, lo, lo

lo; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abstract negation); by implication no; often used with other particles: - X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig [-norant], much, less, nay, neither, never, no ([-ne], -r, [-thing]), (X as though . . . , [can-], for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

The Lord’s promise began with a proclamation that the agricultural produce (grain, new wine, and oil) destroyed by the locusts (cf. Joel 1:10) would be restored. He then announced that His people would never again be an object of scorn to the nations (cf. Joel 2:17). Similarly (Joel 2:26-27) He promised they would never again… be shamed.

The Lord’s promise of restored agricultural blessing

The Lord’s promise began with a proclamation that the agricultural produce (grain, new wine, and oil) destroyed by the locusts (cf. Joel 1:10) would be restored. He then announced that His people would never again be an object of scorn to the nations (cf. Joel 2:17). Similarly (Joel 2:26-27) He promised they would “never again… be shamed.”

The seemingly unconditional tone of these statements is problematic if Joel 2:18-19 describe a historical event in Joel’s day. Whether one posits a preexilic or postexilic date for the writing of Joel, history shows that Israel, after Joel’s day, often did become an object of scorn. Perhaps the best solution to this difficulty is to understand that at least this aspect of the promise is eschatological in its ultimate fulfillment. Joel’s prophecy deals with Israel’s future apart from the chronological gaps which one sees so readily in retrospect. Consequently, prophecies pertaining to his own generation are merged here with those that await future realization. This is common in Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isa. 9:6-7; 61:1-2; Zec. 9:9-10).