Joel 2:21

KJV

Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

KJV (with Strong's)

Fear {H3372} not, O land {H127}; be glad {H1523} and rejoice {H8055}: for the LORD {H3068} will do {H6213} great things {H1431}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't fear, O soil; be glad! rejoice! for ADONAI has done great things.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for Jehovah hath done great things.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 2:21 serves as a profound declaration of divine comfort and impending restoration, urging the beleaguered land and its inhabitants to cast off fear and embrace joy. Following a period of devastating judgment, this verse pivots the narrative towards God's compassionate intervention, promising magnificent acts of renewal that will reverse the desolation and usher in an era of abundant blessing and spiritual outpouring, underscoring the Lord's sovereign power and unwavering faithfulness to His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joel 2:21 marks a pivotal shift in the book of Joel, transitioning from a vivid portrayal of judgment and a call to repentance to a glorious promise of restoration. The preceding verses, particularly [Joel 2:1-11](/joel/2-1-11 "Joel 2:1-11 - The Day of the Lord and Locust Plague"), describe a terrifying locust plague, likened to an invading army, which serves as a harbinger of the "Day of the Lord" and divine judgment. This dire situation prompts a heartfelt call for national repentance, fasting, and weeping, as detailed in [Joel 2:12-17](/joel/2-12-17 "Joel 2:12-17 - A Call to Repentance"). The Lord's compassionate response is then described in [Joel 2:18-20](/joel/2-18-20 "Joel 2:18-20 - The Lord's Pity and Promise"), where He expresses His jealousy for His land and pity for His people, promising to drive away the northern army (locusts) and provide grain, new wine, and oil. Verse 21 then initiates a series of specific promises for agricultural abundance ([Joel 2:23-27](/joel/2-23-27 "Joel 2:23-27 - Agricultural Restoration")) and, most significantly, the universal outpouring of the Holy Spirit ([Joel 2:28-29](/joel/2-28-29 "Joel 2:28-29 - The Outpouring of the Spirit")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Joel addresses an agrarian society deeply dependent on rainfall and fertile land for survival. A locust plague, as described in [Joel 1](/joel/1 "Joel 1 - The Devastating Locust Plague"), would have been an unparalleled catastrophe, leading to widespread famine, economic ruin, and national despair. In ancient Israel, such natural disasters were often interpreted as divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. The "land" (Hebrew: *ʼădâmâh*) was not merely territory but a central component of Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God, promised as a place of blessing and abundance if they obeyed. Thus, the devastation of the land was a profound spiritual and physical crisis. The promise of restoration in Joel 2:21-27 directly addresses these agricultural and economic concerns, promising the return of the "former rain" and "latter rain" essential for bountiful harvests, signifying God's reversal of the curse and renewal of covenant blessings.
* **Key Themes:** Joel 2:21 powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the book. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Control**, demonstrating God's ultimate authority over nature and His ability to both send judgment and orchestrate restoration. Secondly, it emphasizes **Repentance and Divine Compassion**, showing that God's promises of blessing are directly linked to His people's sincere turning back to Him, prompting His pity and intervention. Thirdly, the verse introduces the theme of **Restoration and Abundance**, not just in physical terms (crops, rain) but also foreshadowing the profound spiritual renewal that culminates in the outpouring of the Spirit. Finally, it underscores **Hope Amidst Despair**, providing a divine imperative to overcome fear and embrace joy, grounded not in present circumstances but in the certainty of God's future "great things," a theme echoed throughout prophetic literature, such as in [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise of Help").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yârêʼ_):** This primitive root means "to fear," but also carries the moral sense of "to revere" or "to be had in reverence." In Joel 2:21, it is used in the imperative negative ("Fear not"), directly addressing the terror and dread caused by the locust plague and the impending judgment. It's a divine command to overcome paralyzing fear, rooted in the understanding that the God who brought judgment is also the one who brings salvation.
* **Land (Hebrew, _ʼădâmâh_):** Derived from the word for "soil" (from its general redness), this term refers to the earth, ground, or country. Here, the "land" is personified, directly addressed by God. This highlights the deep connection between the well-being of the people and the fertility of their land, which was a central component of God's covenant promises to Israel. The command to the land itself signifies a reversal of the curse that had fallen upon it.
* **Great things (Hebrew, _gâdal_):** While the KJV translates "great things," the Hebrew root *gâdal* means "to be large" or "to make large" in various senses, including magnitude, power, and honor. It signifies acts of significant power, magnitude, and wonder. In this context, it refers to God's mighty, awe-inspiring deeds of restoration, encompassing not only the reversal of the plague's effects and the return of agricultural abundance but also the profound spiritual renewal promised in the subsequent verses.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Fear not, O land;":** This opening imperative directly addresses the personified land, and by extension, its inhabitants. It is a divine command to shed the terror and despair brought on by the devastating locust plague and the threat of further judgment. The "not" (Hebrew: *ʼal*) is a strong prohibition, urging an immediate cessation of fear, grounded in the certainty of God's impending intervention.
* **"be glad and rejoice:":** These two imperatives ("be glad" - *gîyl*, "rejoice" - *sâmach*) are a call to active, faith-filled celebration. Despite the current desolation, the command is to anticipate and express joy in God's promised restoration. *Gîyl* often implies spinning around with violent emotion, suggesting exuberant joy, while *sâmach* means to brighten up or be blithe. Together, they convey a profound, internal and external expression of delight in God's character and His coming acts.
* **"for the LORD will do great things.":** This clause provides the foundational reason for the command to fear not and to rejoice. "The LORD" (Yahweh, H3068) emphasizes God's covenant name, signifying His unchanging faithfulness and power. The phrase "will do great things" (Hebrew: *ya'aseh gedoloth*) points to future divine action of immense scale and significance. These "great things" encompass the comprehensive reversal of the judgment, including agricultural abundance, the removal of the enemy, and ultimately, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating God's sovereign power to restore beyond human expectation.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 2:21 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of hope. **Personification** is prominently used as the prophet directly addresses the "land" ("Fear not, O land;"), imbuing it with human qualities of fear and the capacity for joy, thereby extending the divine comfort beyond just the people to the very ground that suffered. The use of the **Imperative Mood** ("Fear not," "be glad," "rejoice") creates a sense of divine command and urgency, demanding an immediate and active response of faith from the audience. This is further reinforced by the structure of a **Divine Oracle**, where God's direct word is conveyed through the prophet, lending ultimate authority and certainty to the promise. Finally, the phrase "great things" acts as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Understatement** (depending on interpretation), suggesting acts of such immense power and beneficence that they transcend ordinary human comprehension, inviting the audience to anticipate truly miraculous intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 2:21 is a powerful testament to God's redemptive character, revealing His readiness to move from judgment to mercy when His people genuinely repent. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not only sovereign over the forces of nature and human history but is also intimately concerned with the well-being of His creation. The promise of "great things" speaks to God's boundless capacity for restoration, demonstrating that His grace can overcome even the most devastating consequences of sin and judgment. This verse encapsulates the divine pattern of discipline followed by restoration, a theme woven throughout the Old Testament, offering a profound message of hope that God's ultimate purpose for His people is always blessing and renewal. It reminds us that our hope is anchored not in our circumstances, but in the unchanging character and mighty deeds of the Lord.

* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise of Help and Strength")
* [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future")
* [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord Always")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 2:21 offers enduring solace and a powerful call to faith for believers navigating times of personal or collective distress. In a world often marked by fear—whether from economic instability, natural disasters, health crises, or spiritual desolation—this verse serves as a divine antidote. It challenges us to shift our focus from the immediate, often overwhelming, circumstances to the unchanging character and sovereign power of God. We are called not to deny the reality of our struggles but to transcend the fear they induce by actively choosing gladness and rejoicing in the certainty of God's future intervention. This requires a deep trust that God is capable of performing "great things" in our lives, things that can transform despair into hope, scarcity into abundance, and brokenness into wholeness. Our joy becomes a testimony to His faithfulness, even before the full manifestation of His promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What current "devastation" or "fear" in your life or community is God calling you to release?**
* **How can you actively choose gladness and rejoice in the Lord, even when circumstances seem bleak?**
* **In what ways have you seen God "do great things" in your past, strengthening your faith for future challenges?**
* **How does the promise of God's "great things" encourage you to pray with greater expectation and trust?**

### FAQ
**What specific "great things" is God referring to in Joel 2:21?**

Answer: The "great things" God promises in Joel 2:21 refer primarily to the comprehensive restoration of the land and people of Israel following the devastating locust plague and the threat of judgment. Immediately following this verse, the text details the reversal of agricultural desolation, promising abundant harvests of grain, new wine, and oil ([Joel 2:23-27](/joel/2-23-27 "Joel 2:23-27 - Agricultural Restoration")). However, the "great things" extend far beyond mere physical restoration. The ultimate and most profound "great thing" is the outpouring of God's Spirit upon all flesh, leading to prophetic dreams, visions, and salvation for all who call on the name of the Lord ([Joel 2:28-32](/joel/2-28-32 "Joel 2:28-32 - The Outpouring of the Spirit and Day of the Lord")). Thus, it encompasses both material blessing and profound spiritual renewal.

**How does Joel 2:21 apply to believers today who may not be experiencing a literal locust plague?**

Answer: While the immediate context of Joel 2:21 is a literal locust plague in ancient Israel, its timeless principles apply universally to believers facing any form of distress, loss, or uncertainty. The command "Fear not" is a recurring biblical imperative, often given in the face of overwhelming circumstances, reminding us of God's sovereign presence and power. The call to "be glad and rejoice" encourages a faith-filled response, trusting in God's character and His ability to bring good out of difficult situations. For believers today, the "great things" God will do may manifest as personal healing, provision, spiritual breakthrough, or His redemptive work in the world. It reminds us that God is actively involved in our lives and capable of performing miracles that transcend our understanding, as He did for the Israelites.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joel 2:21, with its promise that "the LORD will do great things," finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks to physical and spiritual restoration for Israel, the "great things" foreshadow the new covenant inaugurated by Christ. The agricultural abundance promised in Joel points to the spiritual fruitfulness brought about by the [Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send](/john/14-16 "John 14:16 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit"). The ultimate "great thing" prophesied in Joel 2:28, the outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh, was dramatically fulfilled at [Pentecost in Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost"), where Peter explicitly quotes Joel's prophecy, declaring that the Spirit's arrival was a direct consequence of Jesus's ascension and glorification. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, God did the greatest thing imaginable: He reconciled humanity to Himself, conquering sin and death. This act of redemption not only restores our relationship with God but also initiates a new creation, where believers are empowered by the Spirit to live lives of joy and purpose, anticipating the final, complete restoration of all things when [Christ returns](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - The New Heaven and New Earth"). Thus, Joel 2:21's message of comfort and future hope is fully realized in the victorious work of the Lamb of God, who truly does "great things" for His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zephaniah 3:16

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: [and to] Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Isaiah 41:10

¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 54:4

Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

Psalms 126:1

¶ A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Psalms 126:3

The LORD hath done great things for us; [whereof] we are glad.

Jeremiah 33:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.