Joel 1:19

O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.

O LORD {H3068}, to thee will I cry {H7121}: for the fire {H784} hath devoured {H398} the pastures {H4999} of the wilderness {H4057}, and the flame {H3852} hath burned {H3857} all the trees {H6086} of the field {H7704}.

ADONAI, I cry out to you! For the fire has consumed the pastures in the desert, and the flame set ablaze all the trees in the fields.

To You, O LORD, I call, for fire has consumed the open pastures and flames have scorched all the trees of the field.

O Jehovah, to thee do I cry; for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.

Commentary

Joel 1:19 captures the prophet Joel's fervent prayer and lamentation in response to a catastrophic natural disaster afflicting Judah. This verse follows a vivid description of a devastating locust plague and severe drought that has laid waste to the land, destroying crops, pastures, and trees.

Context

The entire first chapter of Joel paints a grim picture of agricultural devastation. The prophet addresses the elders and inhabitants of Judah, urging them to lament and turn to God. The "fire" and "flame" mentioned in verse 19 vividly describe the utter destruction of vegetation, mirroring the effects of both the locusts (which consume everything) and the subsequent drought, leaving the land parched and barren. This calamity is presented not merely as a natural event but as a sign of divine judgment, foreshadowing the greater Day of the LORD.

Key Themes

  • Prayer in Desperation: Joelโ€™s cry, "O LORD, to thee will I cry," highlights the appropriate response of turning to God in times of extreme crisis and helplessness. It signifies a profound dependence on divine intervention when all earthly resources fail.
  • Consequences of Devastation: The imagery of "fire" and "flame" consuming the land emphasizes the completeness of the destruction. It speaks to the loss of livelihood, food sources, and the very foundation of life for the people of Judah, illustrating the severe impact of God's disciplinary hand or the natural consequences of ecological imbalance.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Underlying the lament is an acknowledgement of God's ultimate control over nature and events, even in times of suffering. The prophet appeals to the One who has the power to both permit and alleviate such calamities.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cry" (ืงึธืจึธื - qara') implies a desperate, earnest calling out, not merely a casual request. It suggests a plea born out of deep distress and an urgent need for intervention. The imagery of "fire" (ืึตืฉื - 'esh) and "flame" (ืœึถื”ึธื‘ึธื” - lehavah) is powerful, depicting a scorching, consuming force that leaves nothing behind, underscoring the severity of the judgment or calamity.

Practical Application

Joel 1:19 serves as a timeless reminder that in moments of profound crisis, whether personal, national, or global, our ultimate refuge and source of help is God. It encourages believers to:

  • Turn to God in Prayer: When faced with overwhelming circumstances, the first and most vital step is to cry out to the Lord, expressing our dependence and trust in His power and mercy, much like the psalmist who declared, "In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me."
  • Acknowledge God's Control: Even amidst devastation, recognizing God's sovereignty can bring perspective and hope. It reminds us that His purposes endure, and He can bring restoration even from ashes.
  • Respond with Repentance: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Joel calls for repentance and a return to God as a path to healing and restoration, offering hope for transformation even after severe trials.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 9:10

    For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through [them]; neither can [men] hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.

  • Psalms 50:15

    And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

  • Amos 7:4

    Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.

  • Micah 7:7

    ยถ Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

  • Luke 18:7

    And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

  • Joel 2:3

    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 nothing shall escape them.

  • Habakkuk 3:17

    Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls:
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