Joel 3:3

Hebrew Bible

1 “For look! In those days and at that time I will return the exiles to Judah and Jerusalem. 2 Then I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. I will enter into judgment against them there concerning my people Israel who are my inheritance, whom they scattered among the nations. They partitioned my land, 3 and they cast lots for my people. They traded a boy for a prostitute; they sold a little girl for wine so they could drink. 4 Why are you doing these things to me, Tyre and Sidon? Are you trying to get even with me, land of Philistia? If you are, I will very quickly repay you for what you have done! 5 For you took my silver and my gold and brought my precious valuables to your own palaces.

Obadiah 1:11

Hebrew Bible

9 Your warriors will be shattered, O Teman, so that everyone will be destroyed from Esau’s mountain! 10 “Because you violently slaughtered your relatives, the people of Jacob, shame will cover you, and you will be destroyed forever. 11 You stood aloof while strangers took his army captive and foreigners advanced to his gates. When they cast lots over Jerusalem, you behaved as though you were in league with them. 12 You should not have gloated when your relatives suffered calamity. You should not have rejoiced over the people of Judah when they were destroyed. You should not have boasted when they suffered adversity. 13 You should not have entered the city of my people when they experienced distress. You should not have joined in gloating over their misfortune when they suffered distress. You should not have looted their wealth when they endured distress.

 Notes and References

"... Evidence from Joel 2:32–3:21: The book of Joel records the remarkable circumstances surrounding Yahweh’s judgment of the nations and the deliverance of his people. Joel’s prophecy resembles Obadiah’s, as six points of correspondence bear out. First, both texts state that “the Day of Yahweh is near” (Joel 3:14; Obadiah 15). Second, both texts speak of a time when Jerusalem or Zion will be holy: “Jerusalem will be holy” (Joel 3:17) and “Mount Zion ... will be holy” (Obadiah 17). Third, both texts predict that Gentiles will casts lots for God’s people: the nations “cast lots for my people” (Joel 3:3) and “foreigners ... cast lots for Jerusalem” (Obadiah 11). Fourth, both texts predict Yahweh’s revenge against the nations: “I will return recompense on your head” (Joel 3:4, 7) and “your dealings will return on your own head” (Obadiah 15). Fifth, both texts indicate that Edom will be judged because of their violence toward Judah: “Edom will become a desolate wilderness, because of the violence toward the Judahites (Joel 3:19) and “Because of violence to your brother Jacob shame will cover you” (Obadiah 10). Sixth, both texts speak of refugees who escape Mount Zion: “on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape” (Joel 2:32) and “on Mount Zion there will be those who escape” (Obadiah 17). These six similarities suggest that both prophets describe the same situation. As Beecher concludes, “these two prophets had in mind the same group of events.” ..."

Hassler, Mark A. The Setting of Obadiah: When Does the Oracle Concerning Edom Transpire? (pp. 241-254) JETS 59/2, 2016

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