Joel 2:1-3:21

Joel 2:1-11 The figure of the plague of locusts is founded with that of the Day of Jehovah. It's not clear whether the imminent aggression will come from an army that threatens Jerusalem in Joel's time, or from the apocalyptic forces mentioned in verse 20 and in 3:9-15. Nevertheless, with a notable poetic style, Joel describe such terror as the plague of locusts inspired as the presence of an invading army.

Joel 2:1 See section 3 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Joel.

Joel 2:1 Trumpet: A horn called a "shofar" was used to announce imminent danger, like here, and to call an assembly, as in verse 15. Zion is the summit of the mountain-temple where the LORD was enthroned (Psa. 2:6). The Day of the LORD: See the note for Obadiah 1:15.

Joel 2:12 As the dawn stretches upon the mountains: Alludes to how the sun reflects upon the cloud of locusts, giving the sun a rose-yellow color. This phenomenon is observed one or two days before these creatures arrived. For several days, the swarms of insects are so thick that they darken the sky.

Joel 2:3 Fire will consume: This reference to GOD's judgment could also refer to the actual fire that sometimes accompanies an invasion of locusts. The Garden of Eden: Reference to the paradise in which the human lived before falling into sin (Gen. 2:8).

Joel 2:4 As the appearance of horses: The head of a locust looks a lot like that of a horse.

Joel 2:5 Like the noise of chariots...like the sound of a flame of fire: Eye-witnesses declare that locusts, when they beat their wings or fly, make a sound like a clinking or jingling. When they eat it seems as if the field is being consumed by a fire.

Joel 2:7-9 Many stories exist about the unstoppable plagues of locusts. "There's no region they can't cross; they penetrate into the fields, the crops, the trees, the cities and houses, "even into the niches and bedrooms." (Geronimo).

Joel 2:11 His army: Here the images are based on those of that future day when the LORD Himself leads his hosts into the final battle and judgment of the nations, a day in which the whole universe will tremble (v.10). Who can bear it?: A rhetorical question that stresses the fact that no one will be able to stand in the Day of the LORD.

Joel 2:12-17 This call to mourning and repentance is similar to that of chapter 1.

Joel 2:12-14 See section 3 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Joel.

Joel 2:13,14 If we are in communion with GOD, we never abandon hope. In the most extreme circumstances, like these caused by divine judgment, we can turn our heart to the LORD and find help and salvation. GOD never manifests himself in a cruel or vengeful way. On the contrary, the LORD is merciful...and kind, slow to anger and great in mercy.

Joel 2:13 Rend your heart, and not your garments: Ripping the clothes was a common practice in times of sorrow and contrition. It symbolized a broken heart and a wounded spirit: Here Joel calls Judah to experience what the symbolism evokes: hurt hearts and the confession of their sins.

Joel 2:15-17 See section 3 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Joel.

Joel 2:15 Play the trumpet in Zion: The first playing of the trumpet announced an imminent danger. See the note for verse 1. The second called the people to repentance and contrition before GOD.

Joel 2:16 As sin and judgment had touched everyone, from the elders to the children, thus it should also happen with repentance; till even the bridegroom and the bride interrupted their espousal.

Joel 2:17 Between the entrance and the altar: Between the Temple entrance (porch) and the altar of the burnt offering. That was situated directly before the door to the Holy of Holies, where GOD's presence reigned. Here the priests, as mediators representing the nation, would intercede with weeping. Your inheritance: The nation of Judah was considered GOD's possession. By rejecting the LORD it was as if they were rejecting their own inheritance. If Judah was destroyed, it would cause the reproach of other peoples.

Joel 2:18-27 This promise of salvation and blessings (without reference to time) prophesies an age in which material as well as spiritual needs will be satisfied.

Joel 2:18 Attentive to his land: In the Hebrew language, this could be better understood as a present reality rather than future. The timelessness of the language is typical of this poetic style. It seems that the plea of verse 17 has been answered and that the restoration of Israel has begun.

Joel 2:20 Of the north: This should be interpreted as the army of locusts that comes from the north. The east sea is the Dead Sea, and the west sea is the Mediterranean. What halts the waves of locusts are the winds that deflect them toward the great masses of water. Will exhale...its rot: The dead locusts are pulled along by the waves. The smell of their rotting fills the air with their terrible stench.

Joel 2:23 Children of Zion: All the people of Judah, not just those who live in Zion. Early rain: Refers to the autumn rains, in the time of sowing. Latter rain: The spring rains that come just before harvest. These refreshing rains that renew the fertility of the exhausted land, prefigure the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, which brings spiritual renewal with it (verses 28-32).

Joel 2:26,27 Never again will my people be ashamed: Is repeated in verse 27; this is a direct response to the prayer of the priests in verse 17: "Don't hand your inheritance over to reproach": They will not be ashamed for three reasons: GOD has done wonders with you; I am in the midst of Israel; and I am Jehovah your GOD.

Joel 2:28,29 See section 1 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Joel.

LITERARY RICHES

Joel 2:28 dreams, chalom; Strong #2472: A dream or vision in the night. The root of this substantive is the verb chalam, which means "to sleep". In Scripture several types of dreams are mentioned, from those that are a product of the imagination, to those that serve as a vehicle for divine communication with a person (compare Eccl. 5:3 and Gen. 20:6; see also "false dreams" in Jer. 23:32). Many biblical figures, such as Jacob, Laban, Pharaoh, Solomon and Nebuchadnezzar, are known in part for their dreams (see I Ki. 3:5; Dan. 2:1). Joseph and Daniel are biblical champions of revelation through their dreams. Each one experienced, not only his own dreams, but also interpreted those of others.

KINGDOM DYNAMICS
Joel 2:28,29 The Holy Spirit: agent of restoration, RESTORATION. This text designates the Holy Spirit as the Promise who will bring full restoration to any human situation. See "The Holy Spirit and Restoration" for the development of the entire concept. (Rev. 19:7-9/John 10:10) J.R.

Joel 2:28,29 And after this: This is the phrase that introduces the final section (2:28-3:21), which draws a parallel between the plague of locusts and GOD's judgment upon the nations at the end of time.

I will pour out: Alludes to an abundant gift. Just as the actual rains fell in sufficient magnitude to restore the stripped and spent land, to feed the dry rivers and streams, the same will happen with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. All flesh: Refers to every type of person, not every individual. Just as the repentance of verse 16 included the youngest as well as the oldest, thus the pouring out of the Holy Spirit reaches all ages, to people of all social strata, men and women.

Will prophecy: Means proclaiming GOD's purposes in all human affairs. A prophet is a person who speaks in the name of GOD. Dreams and visions: The usual way that prophecies were communicated in Old Testament times. The message here is that the prophetic ministry will no longer be confined to a privileged few, but an attribute that even the young will possess.

Servants and handmaidens: Alludes to slaves.This is unprecedented. In the entire Old Testament there's not a single example of a slave exercising the functions of a prophet.

In chapter 2 of Acts, Peter sees the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost as the consummation of this prophecy. See the introduction to Joel, "Background"; and "The Holy Spirit in Action".

That the pouring out of the Holy Spirit wouldn't be limited to the apostles and their contemporaries remained clear from Peter's words in Acts 2:39, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are far off; because the LORD our GOD calls them".

Joel 2:30,31 See section 1 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Joel.

Joel 2:30 Wonders: Precede GOD's judgment. They are compared with the plagues that GOD made fall on Egypt in the time of Israel's liberation (see Exod. 7-11). They are also a phenomenon that accompanies wars.

Joel 2:31 The moon into blood: The moon appears red when it's covered by a smoke screen. The times that precede the great and terrible day of Jehovah will be times of violence and war.

Joel 2:32 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Joel.

Joel 2:32 When the world begins to disintegrate, all those who call upon the name of Jehovah will be saved. These signs of GOD's judgment will be disastrous for those who persevere in their sins. However, they will be signs of redemption and salvation for those who turn to the LORD.

Mount Zion in Jerusalem, which came to mean Jerusalem as a whole, and later, all of Israel. Picture found at Bibleplaces.com

Mount Zion...Jerusalem: Should be understood as the place where GOD's presence is found.

Remnant: Those who are saved; those who have called on the name of Jehovah. See the note for Zephaniah 2:7. Whom he will call: Here we see the two aspects of salvation, which is the calling that human beings direct to GOD as well as the calling that human beings receive from GOD. GOD calls men by producing wonders. Men can respond by seeking GOD, and then they will receive salvation.

No event occurred in Joel's time that responds to this prophetic section (verses 28-32), which began to be fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, when the pouring out of the Holy Spirit began "the end times". Joel's prophecy will culminate with the Second Coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the subsequent end of this world. We live now in those final prolonged days. The incessant growth of violence and armed conflicts that characterizes contemporary history should be considered GOD's reminder to human beings to call on his name and be saved. See the note for Obadiah 15.

Joel 3:1-21 Day of Judgment and Salvation (HBH) Chapter 3 pictures a phase of the great day of the LORD when nations are gathered for judgment. Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia are called by name to charge them with selling Hebrew slaves (3:4-6). Such crimes may well have been perpetrated during the entire period described by the Minor Prophets (about 750-400 BC). Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia were great trading centers whose commerce was hardly interrupted by the rise and fall of empires.

Verses 9-16 speak of a judgment that would disarm these peoples and in which the LORD was a refuge for His people, Israel. Verse 17 has Zion recognized as GOD's holy dwelling, safe from invading foreigners.

Verse 19 speaks of desolation for Egypt and Edom (see Obadiah) because of violence done to Judah. But Judah and Jerusalem were still inhabited, for "the LORD dwells in Zion" (3:21).

This portrayal covers the entire period of the Minor Prophets and ends where the Minor Prophets do: the new temple services proclaimed that the LORD was in Zion and that the city was again prepared to welcome pilgrims for its festivals. Persia's dominance in the 400s BC guaranteed peace and safety for travelers, just as it allowed no sovereign nationalism for Canaan's small nations.

Joel 3:1 In those days: points to 2:28-32. GOD begins a more complete explanation of how GOD's judgment will bring the nations to an end. Captivity: Conditions of those of Judah and Israel who have been scattered throughout the world. It's a response to verse 2, "those whom they have scattered among the nations". In a fuller sense, some experts apply the phrase to the dispersed Jews who will return to a restored Israel at the end of time. Others see it as a symbolic reference to the Church.

Joel 3:2 The Valley of Jehoshaphat: In Jewish tradition, it's thought to form part of the valley of Kidron, between the Temple and the Mount of Olives. "Jehoshaphat" means "Jehovah is judge". Joel could have had a symbolic place of judgment and decision in mind, and not an actual site.

Joel 3:3 And they have cast lots for my people: When a nation was conquered, it was a common practice to distribute its people as slaves by casting lots. And have given the boys for a harlot...the girls for wine: A terrible practice of using boys and girls as money for spending a night with a prostitute or buying a glass of wine.

Joel 3:4-8 This section deals with nations contemporary to Joel, which also represent GOD's enemies throughout history.

Joel 3:4-8 Tyre and Zidon: These were the principal cities of the Phoenicians and are a symbol of these people. And all the territory of Philistia (KJV-coasts of Palestine): A coalition of five great city-states, traditional enemies of Israel. These include the are of the Gaza Strip in our time.

Joel 3:5 This could refer to the looting of Judah and Jerusalem in the time of Jehoram. See II Chronicles 21:16,17.

Joel 3:8 Sabeans: Known slave traders of Arabia.

Joel 3:9-17 This passage returns to the judgment mentioned in verse 2.

Joel 3:9 Proclaim war: This isn't a call directed to Judah, but to the pagan nations.

Joel 3:10 Form your plowshares into swords and your sickles into spears: This contrasts with Isaiah 2:4. There, the weapons of war should be transformed into instruments of peace. Here, the agricultural tools must be converted into weapons of war. This language is charged with symbolism.

Joel 3:11 Your strong: They are GOD's heroes or those of the heavenly hosts who can carry out his mandates.

Joel 3:13 The harvest is already ripe...the press is full: Alludes to the fact that the nations are ripe for GOD's judgment. These images are also used in relation to the final judgment in Revelation 4.

Joel 3:14 Many peoples: The Hebrew term can also be translated as "multitude" or "tumult", and alludes to the noisy multitudes that stream toward the Valley of decision, the place of GOD's final verdict.

Joel 3:16 The LORD is only terrible and fearsome to his enemies. For his remnant, those who have responded to his calling (2:32), he is hope and strength.

LITERARY RICHES

Joel 3:16 roar, sha'ag; Strong #7580: To bellow, roar like a lion, boom like thunder. This verb appears 22 times and about half of these references allude to the roar of lions. A few passages relate to angry men who "roar" (see Psa. 22:13; 74:4; Zeph. 3:3). The majority of the remaining verses have to do with the roar that GOD makes when he intervenes in a battle. In this passage, as in Amos 1:2, it alludes to the roar with which GOD confronts the enemies of Israel, and in Amos it constitutes his response to the Israelite transgressions.

Joel 3:17 Jerusalem: Doesn't represent the capital of the earthly Israel, but the purified city in which GOD will dwell alongside his people. Strangers will not pass through: That is, no one impure will be allowed after the LORD's judgment and restoration (Rev. 21:27).

Joel 3:18 The valley of Shittim: The arid valley of the Jordan, just north of the Dead Sea.

Joel 3:21 See section 3 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Joel.

Joel 3:21 And I will cleanse...those who have not been cleansed: Some see in this the forgiveness granted to the nations that are now judged by GOD and because of this they can be cleared of guilt. Others interpret it as an indication that all guilt can be forgiven now that Jehovah dwells in Zion. Joel speaks of dwelling in Zion to make it understood that the LORD has established his kingdom and all the enemies of his people have been defeated. This would be the beginning of the world to come.

Theological and Ethical Significance (HBH) GOD can use crises to sensitize His people to their utter dependence on GOD and their need for spiritual renewal. Sin is serious and merits GOD's judgment. Judgment can be avoided by heartfelt prayer and repentance. GOD is gracious and merciful. GOD's desire is to forgive His people and pour out His Spirit on them.

Questions for Reflection (HBH)

How do we respond to crises? Do hard times drive us to GOD?
How did Joel's prophecy find fulfillment in the events of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-17)? How did Joel's prophecy find fulfillment in a mixed Jewish-Gentile church (Rom. 10:12-13)?