Joel 3:18

¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

And it shall come to pass in that day {H3117}, that the mountains {H2022} shall drop down {H5197} new wine {H6071}, and the hills {H1389} shall flow {H3212} with milk {H2461}, and all the rivers {H650} of Judah {H3063} shall flow {H3212} with waters {H4325}, and a fountain {H4599} shall come forth {H3318} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and shall water {H8248} the valley {H5158} of Shittim {H7851}.

Then, when that time comes, the mountains will drip with sweet wine, the hills will flow with milk, all the streambeds of Y'hudah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of ADONAI to water the Sheetim Valley.

And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall flow with waters; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of Jehovah, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

Context

Joel 3:18 is a powerful prophetic verse found within the larger context of Joel's prophecy concerning the "Day of the Lord." While earlier chapters describe a devastating locust plague and drought as a foretaste of divine judgment and a call to repentance, the latter part of the book, including this verse, shifts dramatically to promises of future restoration, blessing, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. This verse specifically paints a vivid picture of the abundant blessings that will characterize the Messianic age or the final restoration after God's judgment on the nations, often referred to as the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Abundance and Prosperity: The imagery of "mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk" speaks of unprecedented agricultural fertility and material blessing. This signifies a time when God's people will experience complete provision and overflowing prosperity, a stark contrast to the famine depicted earlier in Joel. Similar promises of agricultural bounty are found in Amos 9:13.
  • Spiritual Renewal and Life: The central image of "a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim" is profoundly significant. It represents the life-giving presence and power of God flowing out from His dwelling place (the Temple or His very presence), bringing spiritual vitality and healing. This echoes the vision of the river flowing from the Temple in Ezekiel 47:1-12 and culminates in the river of the water of life in Revelation 22:1-2.
  • Transformation of Desolation: The "valley of Shittim" was historically associated with Israel's failures and wilderness wanderings (Numbers 25:1). For this desolate or even cursed area to be watered by a divine fountain signifies God's power to transform barrenness into fruitfulness, desolation into life, and even to redeem places of past sin or failure.
  • Eschatological Hope: This verse points to a future time of ultimate blessing and restoration for God's people, a period of peace, abundance, and intimate communion with God, often understood as the millennial reign of Christ or the eternal state.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "in that day" (Hebrew: bayyom hahu) is a recurring prophetic idiom used to refer to a specific, decisive time appointed by God, often encompassing both judgment and salvation. Here, it clearly points to the future, climactic unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The terms "new wine" (tirosh) and "milk" (chalav) are common biblical symbols of agricultural bounty and prosperity, emphasizing the richness of the blessings.

Practical Application

Joel 3:18 offers immense hope and encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that no matter the present difficulties or spiritual barrenness, God's ultimate plan is one of abundant life, restoration, and blessing. It teaches us:

  1. God is the Source of All Life: True and lasting abundance, both physical and spiritual, flows directly from God's presence. Our hope should be anchored in Him, not in worldly provisions.
  2. Transformation is Possible: Just as the valley of Shittim is watered, God can bring life and fruitfulness to the most desolate areas of our lives, our communities, or even the world.
  3. Future Hope: This prophecy provides a glimpse into God's glorious future for His people, a time of complete provision and spiritual vitality. This hope sustains us through present trials.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 14:8

    ¶ And it shall be in that day, [that] living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

  • Revelation 22:1

    ¶ And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

  • Revelation 22:2

    In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations.

  • Ezekiel 47:1

    ¶ Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house [stood toward] the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south [side] of the altar.

  • Ezekiel 47:12

    And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

  • Isaiah 35:6

    Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

  • Numbers 25:1

    ¶ And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

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