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.
¶ 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 the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, 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 nothing shall escape them.
Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
¶ 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 it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall 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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The Calling of Disciples
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