Tyndale Open Study NotesJoel 1

The prophet Joel describes a severe locust plague that struck Judah and Jerusalem.

• This is the word of the LORD (literally The word of the Lord came): The Lord, not the human prophet, was the true source of these words.

• The name Joel means "the Lord [Yahweh] is God." Joel’s father, Pethuel, is unknown outside of this verse.

• Hear this: Joel called the people to pay close attention to the prophecy.

• elders: The prophet asked the community elders if anything like this had happened before. It had not. This disaster was unique in the history of God's people.

God's people would share their experiences with future generations. This way, their descendants could learn from the lessons they had gained (compare Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:20–25).

Judah faced a terrible locust plague. Some experts think the four types of locusts symbolize four ancient empires that conquered Israel. Others believe the words describe four stages of locust growth. The prophet probably used different terms to highlight the massive destruction caused by the relentless insects.

Wake up … wail: The prophet wanted to alert the people to the seriousness of the locust plague.

The destructive power of locusts is well known in both ancient and modern times. These hungry insects feed on crops such as grains and vegetables. They also destroy fruit trees and vines, leaving the branches white and bare.

Wail like a virgin: Judah is like a young engaged woman whose marriage never happens because her husband dies.

The locust plague threatened the people of Judah with starvation. It stopped the daily animal sacrifices and grain and wine offerings at the temple in Jerusalem (compare Exodus 29:38–41; Numbers 28:2–8).

The locusts destroyed the three main staple crops of ancient Israel:

• grain

• grapes

• olive oil

The drought made the locust plague worse. Everything withered and dried up (see also Joel 1:19–20). Spiritually, the people's joy vanished with the fruit trees.

The priests were to guide everyone in public mourning ceremonies at the temple. Their actions should show genuine inner change (see Joel 2:13).

• The locust plague was not just a natural event. It was a sign that the day of the Lord was near. Starting with Amos in the 700s BC (Amos 5:18), prophets spoke of a future time when God would step into human history to judge the wicked and support the righteous.

• destruction from the Almighty: The Hebrew text emphasizes the similar sounds of the word destruction (shod) and the title the Almighty (shadday).

Plague and drought destroyed the food supply, leaving the barns with no stored grain.

The people of Judah struggled because of the famine. Even sheep and goats, which can survive on little food, cried out because they had nothing to eat.

To You, O LORD, I call: Joel responded to the plague with a sincere prayer. The people could only turn to the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth and ask for his goodness. He alone could change their desperate situation.

All creation suffers because of human sin (Genesis 3:17–18; 9:2; Romans 8:20–21). Even wild animals cry out to God. The Hebrew word translated "pant” is the same as in Psalm 42:1, where the deer “pants” for water. The animals, needing food and drink, show how the people of Judah and Jerusalem should seek their Lord (see Isaiah 1:3).