Joel 3 · Grade 5

Yahweh Dwells in Zion

Name Date

Read and Think

Joel 3 looks ahead to when God restores His people. In those days, and in that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, God says, I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will execute judgment on them there for my people. The name Jehoshaphat means Yahweh judges. The nations had scattered God's people and carried off His treasures.

God turns a famous peace saying around. Instead of beating swords into plowshares, the nations are told, Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, I am strong. It is a call to gather for judgment. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! The harvest is ripe, for their wickedness is great. Christians believe this points to God's final judgment, without knowing its day.

Joel ends with security and blessing for God's people. Yahweh will roar from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake; but Yahweh will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel. Then: the mountains will drop down sweet wine, the hills will flow with milk. A fountain will flow out from Yahweh's house. But Judah will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. The last words are, for Yahweh dwells in Zion.

Show What You Know

Why would God judge the nations?
What saying does Joel turn around?
Why is the harvest ripe?
What does Yahweh become to His people?
What are Joel's last words?

Crossword

Across

Yahweh will be a ____ to his people
the hills will flow with ____

Down

for the ____ is ripe
dwelling in Zion, my holy ____

Think About It

The heavens and the earth will shake, but Yahweh will be a refuge. Where do you go for safety when life feels shaky?
Joel moves from locusts in chapter 1 to fountains and sweet wine in chapter 3. What does this show about God's plan for His people?

Memory Verse

“Yahweh will roar from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake; but Yahweh will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel.”

Joel 3:16 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being my refuge. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

God judged the nations for selling children as slaves. How can you show others that every person has worth?
Where do you go when you feel unsafe?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?