TRV
Joel 1:5
Bible Versions
Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
Wake up, drunkards, and weep! wail, all you who drink wine, because the juice of the grape will be withheld from your mouth.
Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth.
Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and wail, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
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James 5:1
¶ Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you]. -
Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares. -
Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. -
Isaiah 32:10
Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come. -
Isaiah 32:12
They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. -
Isaiah 24:7
The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh. -
Isaiah 24:11
[There is] a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.
Joel 1:5 issues a stark command to those who are complacent and self-indulgent, specifically the "drunkards" and "drinkers of wine," to awaken and lament the severe consequences of a devastating plague. This verse serves as a powerful wake-up call, emphasizing that even those lost in revelry will be forced to confront the harsh reality of divine judgment.
Context
The Book of Joel opens with a vivid description of an unprecedented locust plague and severe drought that has ravaged the land of Judah. This calamity is presented not merely as a natural disaster but as a direct act of God's judgment, a "day of the LORD" (Joel 1:15) that demands immediate attention and repentance from all segments of society. Joel 1:5 specifically targets those whose lives revolve around earthly pleasures, highlighting how the very source of their joy—the "new wine"—has been completely cut off, forcing them into a state of profound loss and mourning.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "new wine," tirosh (תִּירוֹשׁ), refers to the freshly pressed grape juice, distinct from fermented wine. It was a staple agricultural product, often mentioned alongside grain and oil as a primary blessing from God. Its destruction meant a complete disruption of the agricultural cycle and a severe blow to the economy and daily life. The imperative verbs "Awake" (hēqîṣū), "weep" (bāḵû), and "howl" (hêlîlû) are strong commands, emphasizing the urgency and intensity of the required response, moving from a state of stupor to one of deep, public lamentation.
Practical Application
Joel 1:5 remains relevant today as a warning against spiritual apathy and excessive indulgence. It challenges believers to:
- Recognize Divine Hand: Understand that even in difficult circumstances, God may be working to draw us closer to Him, calling us to examine our priorities and dependence on material comforts.
- Cultivate Sobriety and Discernment: Beyond literal sobriety, it encourages a spiritual alertness that recognizes the signs of the times and God's working in the world, rather than being dulled by worldly distractions.
- Respond with Repentance: When blessings are withdrawn or hardships arise, the appropriate response is not despair alone but genuine lamentation and a turning back to God, as seen in other calls for national repentance like Jeremiah 4:8.
This verse reminds us that true joy and security are not found in temporal pleasures but in a right relationship with the Lord.