In the last chapter of Nehemiah, we find him turning the people back to serve God. Joel opens with the devastation of an army of locusts as the example, something so severe none of them have seen it before, and it is the judgement to come before the Lords army. The harvest is ruined, the storehouse at the temple is empty, the trees destroyed and “joy is dried up among the sons of men”. But even at this last moment, as the Lord “utters His voice before his army”, He says “return to me”. There is a call, “blow the trumpet … gather the people”. And the Lord says, Look at me”.
Has This Ever Happened?
Joel 1:1–4
You might say, “Has this ever happened?” or Have you ever known of this kind of devastation happening?” Here the description is “Literally, (1) the gnawing locust; (2) the swarming locust; (3) the licking locust; (4) the consuming locust; forming a climax to the most destructive kind. The last is often three inches long, and the two antennae, each an inch long. The two hinder of its six feet are larger than the rest, adapting it for leaping. The first “kind” is that of the locust, having just emerged from the egg in spring, and without wings. The second is when at the end of spring, still in their first skin, the locusts put forth little ones without legs or wings. The third, when after their third casting of the old skin, they get small wings, which enable them to leap the better, but not to fly. Being unable to go away till their wings are matured, they devour all before them, grass, shrubs, and bark of trees: translated “rough caterpillars” (Je 51:27). The fourth kind, the matured winged locusts (see on Na 3:16)”.1
Wail All Drinkers of Wine
Joel 1:5–7
The first to notice are those that are cut off from their daily supply. Something has happened, but what? In Joel 1:5-6 They awaken from their stupor to find devastation at their door. No more making merry. No more escape, just the brutal reality of being overtaken “because a nation has invaded”.
The Harvest of the Field is Ruined
Joel 1:8–12
The house of the Lord has a storehouse, wealth and provision from the tithe of the lands bounty. But even the priest laments, the storehouse is empty in Joel 1:9 and the fields are destroyed in Joel 1:10. Even worse, “all the trees of the field-are dried up”. We may not recognize the depth of this devastation because few of us harvest our own fruit from trees. The reality is that it takes three years for a grape vine to produce grapes, an apple tree takes four to five years before it will bear fruit, a pomegranate is two to three years, a fig tree may bear at two years but some trees require six before they bear fruit, and palm trees take four to eight years to bear fruit and seven to ten years before they are at full yield. Now we may understand Joel 1:12 “Indeed, joy is dried up among the sons of men”.
How the Beasts Groan
Joel 1:13–20
Now, they call for a fast, in Joel 1:14 “Solemnize a fast, Call an assembly! … and cry out to Yahweh”. But where was the cry to Him in their blessing? Now, when dearth comes it is long past the time when they might have called out to the Lord. Now they say in Joel 1:16-20 “Is not food cut off before our eyes, … The seeds shrivel under their clods … How the beasts groan … fire has devoured … the courses of water are dried up”. There is no food for man or beast. Who knows what came first the drought, or the locust, or the fire? And what does it matter now, there is famine in the land.
Sound the Alarm
Joel 2:1–5
This is a well known and often recited passage in Joel 2:1. The alarm could have been sounded earlier, now it is nearly too late to escape destruction. Where were the watchman on the wall, those that cry out before calamity is upon them? This is “the day of Yahweh” coming. In Joel 2:2-5 “a day of a cloud … a great and strong army … nothing like it from old … before them a fire … behind them a flame … nothing can escape … they run … they leap … a strong army arranged in rows for battle”. It is over already, the sides have been chosen.
Yahweh Utters His Voice Before His Army
Joel 2:6–11
It says that “before them, nations writhe” in Joel 2:6. This army is not like others, in Joel 2:7-10 “they run like mighty warriors … each on its own way … they do not swerve … they do not jostle … they are not halted”. How can an army move with force and speed and stay on their path without running into each other, without slowing each other down, without being hindered by the debris of battle under their feet. This is an army with one mind, one purpose, moving together and “the earth quakes; the heavens tremble”. And now, in Joel 2:11 we find the source of their power, “Yahweh utters his voice before his army”. And now, we see the difference in this army. A natural army depends on the strength of its warriors but the army of the Lord is dependent on His strength. Who can stand in front of this army? or as Joel 2:11 says, “Who can endure it?”. The answer is, no one can.
“And Even Now”, Declares Yahweh, “Return To Me”
Joel 2:12–17
Even at the last moment, it is not too late to return to the Lord. And it is the Lord asking in Joel 2:12-13 “return to me”. Will you “rend your hearts” after going your own way for so long? But if one turns, is it possible that more will also? Now the intercessor rises up and says in Joel 2:15-17 “Blow the trumpet in Zion … gather the people … let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep. And let them say, “Take pity, Yahweh, on your people”.
And Yahweh Answered
Joel 2:18–24
In Joel 2:19 “Yahweh answered and said to his people. ‘Look at me'”. This is always the answer. Keep your eyes on Him. Look at Him and live. Look at Him and be saved.
Isaiah 53:12 (LEB) Therefore, I will divide to him a portion among the many, and with the strong ones he will divide bounty, because he poured his life out to death and was counted with the transgressors; and he was the one who bore the sin of many and will intercede for the transgressors.
Isaiah 55:6–9 (LEB) Seek Yahweh while he lets himself be found; call him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the man of sin his thoughts. And let him return to Yahweh, that he may take pity on him, and to our God, for he will forgive manifold. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” declares Yahweh. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
And for those that return He says in Joel 2:23-24 “Be glad and rejoice in Yahweh your God … he has given … he has poured down … the threshing floors will be full … the vats will overflow”.
My People Will Never Be Ashamed Again
Joel 2:25–32
Joel 2:25-26 brings the promise of restoration, “I will repay you the years … (for the destruction) that I sent against you. And you will eat abundantly and be satisfied”. Do you understand how great this promise is? The destroyer came because of their rebellion. They broke their covenant with God. They deserved every thing that happened to them.
Yet, in Joel 2:26-32, God says, He will repay them for every bit of devastation they faced. And this is what it will look like:
- And you will eat abundantly
- And you will know that I am in the midst
- And … I will pour out my spirit on all flesh
- And I will set wonders in heaven
- And … everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be rescued
Study Verses
- Joel 1:8–12 The Harvest of the Field is Ruined
- Joel 2:6–11 Yahweh Utters His Voice Before His Army
- Joel 2:12–17 “And Even Now”, Declares Yahweh, “Return To Me”
Today’s Reading
- Joel 1:1-20
- Joel 2:1–32
Operation Exodus
is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview
Return to Israel – Ezra
We often read one book of the Bible at a time and that is easier for everyone to follow. The order of our readings, beginning with Ezra, are from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible because the return from Babylonian exile includes Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah, Esther, a few Psalms, and other connections. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much better context and helps us understand the move of God as He is reestablishing His people. Review the whole series beginning with Go Up To Jerusalem.
References
- 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 664). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.