Tyndale Open Study NotesJoel 2

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

Some scholars understand this section as a second description of the locust plague in chapter 1. But in chapter 1, the plague is described as a past event. In this section, the verb tenses seem to describe a future event.

For this reason, other scholars understand the passage as a warning of another locust plague that has not yet happened.

Still other commentators understand this passage as apocalyptic language (symbolic language about God’s future judgment). In this view, the writer uses the imagery of a locust plague to describe an invading human army on the coming day of the Lord.

When attackers threatened an ancient city, the watchmen on the city wall would sound the alarm by blowing a trumpet. This trumpet was a ram’s horn instrument called a shofar (see also Joel 2:15). The sound called all the defenders to fight the enemy.

Some religious leaders taught the people of Jerusalem and Judah that the day of the Lord would bring blessings for God's people. Echoing the prophet Zephaniah (Zephaniah 1:15), Joel declared that it would actually be a day of darkness and gloom (see also Amos 5:18–20).

The destruction caused by the invading army would be like a fire that spreads quickly and destroys everything in its path. Before the attack, the land looked like the garden of Eden. After the attack, the land would be empty and ruined. This image reverses the hope described in Isaiah 51:3 and Ezekiel 36:35.

• Their appearance is like that of horses: The similarity between locusts and horses (see also Revelation 9:7) emphasizes the image of locusts as an army.

• With a sound like that of chariot: A swarm of locusts can make an extremely loud noise that is hard to endure.

Nations writhe in horror before them: Anticipating the invasion prepared the people for the call to repentance in Joel 2:12–14.

The locusts invaded both cities and farms, moving like a well-trained army. They scaled city walls and swarmed over the city. They found every way to enter, even climbing through windows like thieves.

The shaking of the earth and sky often signals a theophany, which is an appearance of God (see Exodus 19:16–19; Isaiah 13:13; Nahum 1:5–6). The darkening of the sun and moon represents divine judgment (Isaiah 13:9–11).

• The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army: The coming destruction was not just nature or human actions, but an act of God.

• His camp is very large: God carried out this judgment.

• Who can endure it?: Without God's grace and mercy, no one can.

Joel urges the people to repent and rely on the mercy of their compassionate God.

• This verse starts with declares the LORD a phrase often used for divine messages in the prophets. It is the only time it appears in Joel. This shows that the invitation came directly from God.

• return to Me with all your heart: The Lord urged his people to repent because judgment day was near. They still had a chance to avoid destruction by truly returning to the Lord their God.

• Unlike other prophets, Joel does not list the sins of Judah and Jerusalem. Perhaps they were so obvious that he did not need to mention them.

• In the ancient world, people showed grief by tearing their clothes (Genesis 37:34; 2 Samuel 3:31; 2 Kings 19:1).

• rend your hearts: In Hebrew culture, the heart represents thought, faith, and will. God wanted people to repent inwardly, not just outwardly. This meant changing their mindset, priorities, and attitudes. They could only do this by returning to the Lord.

• For He is gracious and compassionate … abounding in loving devotion: The people's only hope was in the Lord's merciful nature (see also Exodus 34:6–7; Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Jonah 4:2). God wants to forgive and restore his people, not punish them.

Who knows?: Joel’s simple question acknowledges God's complete control (see also Jonah 3:9). God does not have to restore us just because we perform certain rituals. Forgiveness comes only through divine grace, but Joel knew that God was willing to forgive (Joel 2:13).

Joel asked for a time of fasting and a serious meeting to seek God.

bridegroom … and the bride: Newlyweds were exempt from most civic duties in ancient Israel (see Deuteronomy 24:5; Luke 14:20). However, in this emergency, everyone would be called to the temple to pray to God.

Spare Your people, O LORD: Gathered at the temple, the religious leaders and everyone else could only do one thing in their desperate situation. The religious leaders wanted the people to ask for God's mercy and compassion.

God promised to restore the material life of his people in the near future. He would refill their fields, orchards, vineyards, and flocks.

So far, the book of Joel has discussed God's judgment on Judah and Jerusalem. From now on, it talks about God's promise to restore them. If the people truly repented, God would respond with kindness.

Since both people and land suffered from God's judgment, they would both receive his passionate compassion.

grain, new wine, and oil: God would restore the land's produce. This would provide the elements needed for sacrifice and worship (see Joel 1:10, 13). God would also remove the invading armies from the north.

Do not be afraid: God’s great deliverance would be full and complete.

autumn rains … and spring rains: God would restore the regular rainfall pattern, reversing the drought (Joel 1:12, 20).

God promised to restore what the locusts destroyed (see Joel 1:4, 10, and Joel 1:4, 10).

You will praise the name of the LORD your God: God promised to restore your crops and food supply. This should lead the people of Judah and Jerusalem to praise and adore him. They should acknowledge that the Lord is among them and that he alone is God.

I will pour out My Spirit on all people: In Israel, the empowering gift of God’s Spirit had previously been given only to select individuals such as:

• judges (Judges 3:10; 15:14),

• priests (2 Chronicles 24:20),

• kings (1 Samuel 10:10), and

• prophets (Isaiah 61:1).

A time was coming when the Holy Spirit would be given to everyone among God’s people, regardless of gender, age, or social status. This fulfilled what Moses wanted, that every Israelite might be a prophet (Numbers 11:29), allowing all to prophesy and see visions.

In Acts 2:1–47, Peter expanded this promise to include people from all over the known world who were gathered in Jerusalem, regardless of their ethnicity (Acts 2:39; see also Galatians 3:28).

In the distant future, God will restore his people's spiritual lives. He will give his Spirit to all who respond to him with faith. He will judge the peoples and nations that refuse to recognize his authority.

The prophet envisioned a future day of the Lord. On this day, God would share his Spirit in new ways and show signs and wonders for everyone to witness. The apostle Peter said this prophecy came true on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16–21).

When God pours out his Spirit in the future, there will be signs and wonders. Blood, fire, and smoke, along with the darkening of the sun and moon, will show God's coming judgment (see Joel 2:10; Mark 13:24; Revelation 6:12).

• everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved: Calling on God's name should not be a final act of desperation. It should be part of a lifelong commitment to worship, serve, and have fellowship with the Lord (see Genesis 12:8; Psalm 105:1; Isaiah 12:4; Romans 10:13; 12:1–2).

• Those whom the Lord has called are his chosen remnant. They are the survivors of judgment who worship him (see 2 Kings 19:31; Ezra 9:8–15; Isaiah 10:20–22).