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.

Listen to this chapter

The Day of the LORD Is Near

Blow the ram’s horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near—

a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come.

Before them a fire devours, and behind them a flame scorches. The land before them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland— surely nothing will escape them.

Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds.

With a sound like that of chariots they bound over the mountaintops, like the crackling of fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army deployed for battle.

Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale.

They charge like mighty men; they scale the walls like men of war. Each one marches in formation, not swerving from the course.

They do not jostle one another; each proceeds in his path. They burst through the defenses, never breaking ranks.

They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves.

Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness.

The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it?

A Call to Sincere Repentance

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him— grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

Blow the ram’s horn in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a sacred assembly.

Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.

Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

The LORD Promises Restoration

Then the LORD became jealous for His land, and He spared His people.

And the LORD answered His people: “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, and by them you will be satisfied. I will never again make you a reproach among the nations.

The northern army I will drive away from you, banishing it to a barren and desolate land, its front ranks into the Eastern Sea, and its rear guard into the Western Sea. And its stench will rise; its foul odor will ascend. For He has done great things.

Do not be afraid, O land; rejoice and be glad, for the LORD has done great things.

Do not be afraid, O beasts of the field, for the open pastures have turned green, the trees bear their fruit, and the fig tree and vine yield their best.

Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication. He sends you showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts— the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust— My great army that I sent against you.

You will have plenty to eat, until you are satisfied. You will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you. My people will never again be put to shame.

Then you will know that I am present in Israel and that I am the LORD your God, and there is no other. My people will never again be put to shame.

The Promise of the Spirit

And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD.

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).

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

Joel2

The Day of the LORD Is Near

A Call to Sincere Repentance

The LORD Promises Restoration

The Promise of the Spirit

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options