The prophet Joel enthusiastically observes that God is going to take a stand for his people and deal with the enemies. He defiantly calls on the enemies: come on, make yourselves strong! Stop your daily work (in agriculture) and make weapons out of anything and everything, and let everyone (even the weak) go to battle with God. Roll up your sleeves and go ahead. Attack God directly. In this way, God’s enemies will work their own demise.
Joel realizes at the same time that he and his people have no claim to God’s protection and victory over their cruel enemies. They have been wicked. Their salvation is purely by God’s grace. Humbly he calls out to God: will you bring down your armies and destroy the enemies?
9 Proclaim this among the nations: Consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up.