The Book of Joel

Hebrew Study

Explanation

The chapter opens with an alarm. The shophar blows in Zion because "the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand." What approaches is described as an army beyond anything ever seen, "a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like." They come like fire, turning a land "as the garden of Eden" into "a desolate wilderness." They run like horses, leap like chariots, climb walls like soldiers, march in unbroken ranks, and pour through the city and even the windows "like a thief." Whether Joel describes a literal locust swarm in military terms or an invading human army pictured as locusts, the point is the same: this is a disciplined, unstoppable force, and it comes at God's command.

For the cosmos itself convulses, "the earth shall quake... the sun and the moon shall be dark." And the terror reaches its height in the last verse: "the LORD shall utter his voice before his army." This army is His; He is "strong that executeth his word." The day of the LORD is "great and very terrible," and the chapter ends this section with the question that hangs over every unprepared soul: "who can abide it?" No one, in himself, can stand before that day. That unanswered question is exactly what drives the next section's urgent call to turn.

Gospel Focus

"Who can abide it?" is one of the most important questions in the Bible, and Scripture asks it more than once, "who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?" (Malachi 3:2); "the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:17). The honest answer is: no sinner can, on his own. The day of the LORD is real, it is coming, and it is "great and very terrible" to all who face it unprepared.

But the very trumpet that warns also summons. God does not sound the alarm to leave us in despair, but to drive us to the only One who can make us able to stand. The whole thrust of Joel 2 is that the God who brings the terrible day is the same God who says, "turn ye even to me." The gospel answers "who can abide it?" not with our strength but with His mercy: in Christ we are given a refuge from the storm, for "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Hear the trumpet, take the warning seriously, and run to the Rock who alone lets sinners stand in the day of the LORD.

Hebrew Study

Explanation

"Therefore also now", even now, at the eleventh hour, with the terrible army at the gate, God opens a door: "turn ye even to me with all your heart." Repentance is to be whole-hearted and heartfelt, "with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning", yet God immediately guards against mere ritual: "rend your heart, and not your garments." The reason to turn is God Himself, "for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness." Even the tentative "who knoweth if he will return and repent" is not doubt about God's mercy but humility before His freedom; there is real hope He will "leave a blessing behind him."

Then the trumpet sounds again, now to gather rather than to warn: "sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly." No one is exempt, "the elders," "the children," even the nursing infants; even newlyweds must leave the wedding chamber, for this is more urgent than any private joy. The priests are to stand "between the porch and the altar" and weep, pleading God's own honor: "Spare thy people, O LORD... wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" True corporate repentance appeals not to Israel's merit but to God's mercy and name.

Gospel Focus

"Rend your heart, and not your garments" is a word for every age, including our own. Religion is full of torn garments, outward shows of sorrow that never reach the heart, tears at a service, promises in a crisis, a form of repentance with no inward breaking. God sees straight through the robe to the heart, and it is the heart He wants torn open in honest, contrite repentance. The good news is why He asks it: "for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness." We do not rend our hearts before a reluctant judge hunting for reasons to condemn, but before a Father longing to forgive, "slow to anger, and of great kindness."

This is the very heart of God that came to us in Jesus Christ, who received sinners and ate with them, and told of a father who ran to meet his returning prodigal. The invitation is still "turn ye even to me with all your heart," and the timing is still "even now." However far the day of judgment has advanced in your life, it is not too late to turn, because the God you turn to is gracious and merciful. Do not settle for torn garments. Let Him break your heart, and find Him ready to forgive.

Hebrew Study

Explanation

The moment the people turn, God turns to them. "Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people." His answer is a flood of mercy: He will send "corn, and wine, and oil," end their reproach, and "remove far off... the northern army." Where the chapter began with fear, it now rings with comfort: "Fear not, O land"; "Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field"; "Be glad then, ye children of Zion." The rain returns, "the former rain, and the latter rain," the threshing floors fill with wheat, and the vats overflow.

At the center stands the tender promise: "I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten." God names the four waves of locusts from chapter 1 again, but now as "my great army which I sent among you", the judgment was His, and so is the restoration. The goal of it all is knowledge of God: "ye shall... praise the name of the LORD your God," and "ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else." Twice He promises, "my people shall never be ashamed." The purpose of both judgment and mercy is that His people would know the one true God dwelling among them.

Gospel Focus

"I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten" is one of the most hope-giving promises in Scripture for anyone who carries regret. Many believers look back on years devoured by sin, foolishness, or sorrow, seasons that feel simply lost. To them God says He is able not only to forgive but to restore, to make those wasted years whole. He is the God of redeemed time, who works "all things... together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28) and gives "beauty for ashes." No penitent heart should despair over the years the locust ate; the God who sent the army can restore the harvest.

And notice the aim of all His dealing: "ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else." There is one God, and none else, and His great desire is to dwell "in the midst" of His people. That longing is fulfilled in the gospel: the one LORD came into our midst in Jesus Christ, "God with us," and now pours out His Spirit to dwell within us, "know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). Restoration of the years, and God Himself in our midst, this is the mercy that answers the terrible day.

Hebrew Study

Explanation

"And it shall come to pass afterward", after the restoration, God promises the greatest gift of all: not more corn and wine, but His own Spirit. "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh." The blessing floods across every old boundary: young and old, men and women, servants and masters all prophesy, dream, and see visions. The age of the Spirit for all God's people is announced here in seed form.

With the outpouring come cosmic signs, "wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke," and "the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come." The gift of the Spirit and the coming Day belong to one great era of fulfilment that stretches from Pentecost to the return of Christ. And the section, and the whole promise, closes with the open door: "whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered." In the midst of judgment and glory, God guarantees deliverance to everyone who calls on Him, "the remnant whom the LORD shall call." Judgment is certain; so is salvation for all who call.

Gospel Focus

This passage is the Old Testament charter of Pentecost, and it is pure Apostolic gospel. On the day the Spirit fell, Peter did not reach for a new text; he preached Joel: "this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh" (Acts 2:16-17). The promise of the Spirit poured out "upon all flesh" is not for an elite but for all God's people, sons and daughters, young and old, of every station. If you have not received the gift of the Holy Ghost, this promise is for you, "for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).

And the way in is spelled out with beautiful simplicity: "whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered." When the crowd at Pentecost, cut to the heart, cried, "what shall we do?" Peter answered, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). To call on the name of the LORD is to call on Jesus, the one saving name, in repentance, baptism, and faith, and to receive His Spirit. There is one God, one Spirit, one saving name. Whosoever calls will be delivered, no exceptions. Call on Him today.