Joel 1:20

The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

The beasts {H929} of the field {H7704} cry {H6165} also unto thee: for the rivers {H650} of waters {H4325} are dried up {H3001}, and the fire {H784} hath devoured {H398} the pastures {H4999} of the wilderness {H4057}.

Even the wild animals come to you, panting, because the streambeds have dried up, and fire has consumed the pastures in the desert."

Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the streams of water have dried up, and fire has consumed the open pastures.

Yea, the beasts of the field pant unto thee; for the water brooks are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

Joel 1:20 KJV vividly portrays the profound suffering of the natural world amidst a severe drought and locust plague, emphasizing the comprehensive devastation that afflicts all living creatures.

Context of Joel 1:20

This verse concludes a lament in the book of Joel, describing a catastrophic national disaster in ancient Israel. The prophet Joel details an unprecedented locust invasion followed by, or intensified by, a devastating drought. The entire land, from crops to pastures, is withered, and even the "rivers of waters are dried up." In this dire situation, the natural world itself—represented by "the beasts of the field"—is depicted as crying out to God, signifying the extreme desolation and desperate need for divine intervention. This underscores the pervasive nature of the judgment affecting every aspect of life.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Universal Suffering: The verse highlights that the consequences of sin and divine judgment extend beyond humanity to impact the entire created order. The suffering of animals underscores the depth of the crisis, as the whole creation groans under the weight of decay.
  • Ecological Devastation: It paints a stark picture of environmental collapse. The "rivers of waters are dried up" and "fire hath devoured the pastures" illustrate a land rendered barren and uninhabitable, a direct result of the drought's intensity.
  • Dependence on God: The phrase "cry also unto thee" signifies a desperate appeal to the Lord. It implies that even the animals, through their instinctual suffering, are looking to their Creator for provision and relief, acknowledging God as the ultimate source of life and sustenance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cry" (za'aq - צעק) used here implies a desperate, anguished cry for help, not just a sound. It conveys a deep sense of distress and a plea for intervention. The imagery of "fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness" might literally refer to the scorching heat of the sun, making the land seem burned, or even actual brushfires caused by the extreme dryness, emphasizing the utter desolation.

Related Scriptures

  • For other examples of God's control over nature and its response, see Psalm 104:10-14 which describes God's provision of water and vegetation for both man and beast.
  • The broader context of Joel shows that this judgment is a call to repentance, leading to restoration. Joel 2:12-13 urges the people to return to the Lord with all their heart, promising that God is gracious and merciful.

Practical Application

Joel 1:20 serves as a powerful reminder of our profound dependence on God for all sustenance, both human and natural. It calls us to:

  • Humility and Repentance: Acknowledge God's sovereignty over all creation and recognize that disobedience can have far-reaching consequences, even impacting the environment.
  • Prayer in Crisis: Emulate the desperate cry of creation by turning to God in times of personal, national, or environmental distress, trusting in His power to restore.
  • Stewardship: Be mindful of our role as caretakers of God's creation, recognizing that our actions can affect the well-being of the natural world and its inhabitants.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 104:21

    The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.

  • 1 Kings 17:7

    And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.

  • Psalms 145:15

    The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

  • Psalms 147:9

    He giveth to the beast his food, [and] to the young ravens which cry.

  • 1 Kings 18:5

    And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.

  • Job 38:41

    Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

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