What is the meaning of Joel 3:19? Egypt will become desolate “Egypt will become desolate” (Joel 3:19) paints a clear picture of a national judgment that God Himself will enact. • Egypt had a long history of oppressing God’s people (Exodus 1–14). Joel’s prophecy echoes Isaiah 19:1–4 and Ezekiel 29:9–12, both of which also predict that Egypt’s fertile land will lie waste. • The verb “will become” points to a future reality, not mere symbolism. Jeremiah 46:19–26 affirms that Egypt’s might would collapse under divine wrath. • By singling out Egypt, God reminds His people that no empire—no matter how ancient or seemingly invincible—can escape accountability (Isaiah 31:1). and Edom a desert wasteland “and Edom a desert wasteland” (Joel 3:19). • Edom (Esau’s descendants) nursed a bitter, generational feud with Israel (Genesis 25:29–34; Obadiah 1:10–14). • Obadiah 1:15–18 and Ezekiel 35:3–4 both predict Edom’s total desolation, underscoring that its hostility toward Judah would boomerang back as divine retribution. • Isaiah 34:5–13 describes Edom’s land turning into burning pitch and thorns—imagery Joel abbreviates as “desert wasteland.” Malachi 1:3–4 shows the prophecy’s ongoing relevance when Edom tried to rebuild and God said, “They may build, but I will demolish.” • Together, Egypt (north-east) and Edom (south-east) frame Judah geographically. God’s judgment will sweep the compass. because of the violence done to the people of Judah The Lord spells out the reason: “because of the violence done to the people of Judah.” • God never judges arbitrarily. Genesis 12:3 promises blessing to those who bless Abraham’s offspring and curse on those who curse them. Egypt and Edom chose the curse side. • Joel 3:2 had just charged the nations with scattering God’s people and dividing His land. Amos 1:11–12 singles out Edom “because he pursued his brother with a sword.” • Psalm 137:7 recalls Edom cheering Babylon’s destruction of Jerusalem: “Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, when they said, ‘Lay it bare!’ ” • 2 Chronicles 28:17 notes a specific Edomite invasion of Judah. History verifies the violence God condemns. in whose land they shed innocent blood “in whose land they shed innocent blood.” • God labels Judah’s victims “innocent.” Proverbs 6:16–17 lists hands that shed innocent blood among the seven things the LORD hates. • Deuteronomy 19:10 warns that unavenged innocent blood “will be upon you.” Egypt and Edom spilled that blood inside Judah’s borders, making the crime even more egregious (Numbers 35:33). • Obadiah 1:14 points to Edom ambushing fleeing Judeans: “You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives.” • Jeremiah 19:4 echoes the indictment: “They have filled this place with the blood of innocents.” God’s justice therefore demands a proportionate response (Psalm 94:5–7). summary Joel 3:19 assures Judah that God sees every act of oppression and will repay it in full. Egypt and Edom—historic symbols of external and familial hostility—will be reduced to barren ruins precisely because they brutalized God’s covenant people and spilled innocent blood on holy soil. The verse guarantees that divine justice is certain, territorial, and perfectly measured: those who persecute God’s people will face unmistakable, literal desolation, while Judah ultimately rests in the steadfast protection of the LORD. |
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