In Joel 3, the Lord refers to a place called the "Valley of Jehoshaphat" - a location where God will gather the nations and enter into judgment with them on behalf of his people. The Lord means to stir himself up for battle in order to vindicate Israel against all their enemies.
The reference to Jehoshaphat is probably used because of the great victory the Lord won for Israel under the reign of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 against the Moabites and the Ammonites. After the victory, there is so much spoil from the defeated enemy, it takes three days for the people to gather it all up. They then return to Jerusalem in a great triumphal procession with Jehoshaphat leading and his people in his train, celebrating all that the Lord had done. The kingdom was peaceful and quiet, for the Lord had given them rest and relief from their enemies.
Joel probably uses this language of the "Valley of Jehoshaphat" to resonate with the Israelites' minds, as they recalled the decisive victory the Lord won on their behalf on that day long ago, and used it to point to the great day of final judgment when the Lord returns. We too will indulge in the spoils of his victory on the last day and enter into coveted Sabbath rest. Interestingly enough, the phrase actually means "the valley where God will judge."
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