Joel2

Joel 2 begins with a trumpet call announcing the imminent and terrible Day of the LORD, characterized by an overwhelming, destructive army and cosmic darkness. The LORD then calls His people to sincere repentance, urging them to return to Him with fasting, weeping, and a rending of the heart. Upon their repentance, He promises restoration of their land, abundant blessings, and the removal of their enemies. The chapter concludes with a prophecy of the outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh and further signs preceding the great day, offering deliverance to those who call upon the LORD.

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The Day of the LORD Is Near

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations.

A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and none hath escaped them.

The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so do they run.

Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces are waxed pale.

They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and they break not their ranks.

Neither doth one thrust another; they march every one in his path; and they burst through the weapons, and break not off their course.

They leap upon the city; they run upon the wall; they climb up into the houses; they enter in at the windows like a thief.

The earth quaketh before them; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.

And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for he is strong that executeth his word; for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

A Call to Sincere Repentance

Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto Jehovah your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly;

gather the people, sanctify the assembly, assemble the old men, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Jehovah, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?

The LORD Promises Restoration

Then was Jehovah jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.

And Jehovah answered and said unto his people, Behold, I will send you grain, and new wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations;

but I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the western sea; and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up, because it hath done great things.

Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for Jehovah hath done great things.

Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength.

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month.

And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.

And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame.

And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and there is none else; and my people shall never be put to shame.

The Promise of the Spirit

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.

And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah cometh.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Jehovah hath said, and among the remnant those whom Jehovah doth call.

Study Notes for Joel 2

Verse 1

The blowing of the *shophar* (trumpet) was an immediate call for war or solemn assembly, emphasizing the urgency of the impending judgment (the Day of the LORD).

Verse 2

The description of this day as dark and gloomy points both to the literal devastation caused by the locust swarm (Chapter 1) and the terrifying nature of divine judgment.

Verse 3

The contrast between the 'garden of Eden before them' and the 'desolate wilderness behind them' vividly portrays the absolute destructive power of the invading force or locusts.

Verse 5

The sounds described here—chariots, fire, battle array—confirm that the immediate locust threat is being used as a metaphor for an overwhelming, disciplined military invasion.

Verse 8

The disciplined, unstoppable nature of the army suggests that resistance is futile; they move according to a divinely ordained plan and serve as an instrument of God's perfect will.

Verse 10

This transition to cosmic disturbances indicates that the judgment is not merely local but reflects a universal, apocalyptic intervention by God.

Verse 11

The terrifying army is identified as God's own instrument ('his army'), underscoring that the coming judgment is divinely directed and irresistible.

Verse 12

This verse shifts the focus from inevitable judgment to God's gracious invitation, emphasizing that sincere repentance must be internal and complete ('with all your heart').

Verse 13

'Rend your heart, and not your garments' is the central theological command, prioritizing genuine inner transformation over mere external religious ritual or display.

Verse 14

'Who knoweth if he will return' expresses hope balanced by humility, acknowledging God’s sovereignty while trusting in His covenant nature (cf. Ex. 34:6).

Verse 16

The inclusion of all demographics—elders, infants, and even newlyweds—shows that the repentance must be universal, interrupting all normal life and social structures.

Verse 17

The plea of the priests focuses on God's reputation among the nations, asking God to intervene so that the heathen do not question the power of Israel's God.

Verse 18

This verse marks the turning point where God responds to the people’s repentance, showing His covenant faithfulness through 'jealousy' (zealous commitment) for His land and pity for His people.

Verse 19

God’s answer directly addresses the famine caused by the plague, promising agricultural abundance (corn, wine, and oil) and the removal of national disgrace.

Verse 20

The 'northern army' refers primarily to the locusts (whose invasion route often came from the north), but also foreshadows future historical invading armies that God would remove.

Verse 23

The promise of rain is crucial; the former rain (autumn planting) and the latter rain (spring harvest) signify a complete return to agricultural prosperity and God's favor.

Verse 25

God promises to supernaturally 'restore... the years' lost to the various stages of the locust infestation, emphasizing divine compensation and reversal of judgment.

Verse 27

The ultimate goal of restoration is theological: that Israel will recognize God’s tangible presence ('in the midst of Israel') and unique identity as their only sovereign God.

Verse 28

This pivotal prophecy looks beyond immediate physical restoration to the messianic age ('afterward'), promising a universal outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all classes and ages ('all flesh').

Verse 29

The inclusion of servants and handmaids emphasizes the radical democratic nature of the Spirit’s outpouring, breaking down social and gender barriers in ministry (cf. Acts 2:17-18).

Verse 30

These signs (blood, fire, smoke) describe intensified natural phenomena, often associated with theophany or the final, cataclysmic judgment preceding the ultimate Day of the LORD.

Verse 32

Deliverance is conditional upon faith ('whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD'), providing a path to salvation both for the immediate remnant and for all people in the last days (cited by Paul in Romans 10:13).

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Joel2

The Day of the LORD Is Near

A Call to Sincere Repentance

The LORD Promises Restoration

The Promise of the Spirit

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