Joel 2:21

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

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

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

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

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

Joel 2:21 KJV is a powerful declaration of hope and divine promise, urging the land and its inhabitants not to fear but to rejoice because of God's imminent and mighty intervention.

Context

This verse comes amidst a significant prophetic passage in the book of Joel. The preceding verses (Joel 2:1-11) vividly describe a devastating locust plague, seen as a judgment from God, prompting a solemn call to repentance and fasting (Joel 2:12-17). Following the people's humble response, the Lord expresses His jealousy for His land and pity for His people (Joel 2:18). Joel 2:21 then initiates a series of promises for restoration and blessing. The "great things" the LORD will do refer specifically to the reversal of the plague's effects, the return of agricultural abundance (as detailed in Joel 2:23-27), and supremely, the outpouring of His Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28-29).

Key Themes

  • Divine Assurance and Comfort: The command "Fear not" is a recurring biblical imperative, often accompanying a divine presence or promise. Here, it directly addresses the fear and desolation caused by the locust plague and the impending judgment, offering immediate comfort and a shift in perspective.
  • Call to Joy and Rejoicing: Despite past devastation and current challenges, the instruction to "be glad and rejoice" is a prophetic call to anticipate and celebrate God's restorative work. It emphasizes a faith-filled response to God's promises, even before their full manifestation.
  • God's Mighty Acts of Restoration: "The LORD will do great things" speaks to God's sovereign power and His capacity to intervene dramatically in human affairs. The Hebrew phrase for "great things" is גְּדֹלוֹת (gedoloth), signifying acts of significant power, magnitude, and wonder. These "great things" encompass both physical restoration (bountiful harvests, rain) and profound spiritual renewal (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "great things" translated from the Hebrew gedoloth (גְּדֹלוֹת) implies not merely good or beneficial acts, but mighty, significant deeds that demonstrate God's power and faithfulness on a grand scale. It's a promise of divine action that will profoundly alter the circumstances from one of despair to one of overflowing blessing.

Practical Application

Joel 2:21 offers enduring hope for believers today. In times of personal or collective despair, loss, or uncertainty, this verse reminds us to:

  • Trust God's Promises: Even when circumstances seem dire, we are called not to fear but to place our trust in God's ability to restore and bless.
  • Find Joy in Anticipation: Our joy is not solely dependent on current circumstances but on the unchanging character of God and His faithfulness to His word. We can "be glad and rejoice" in what God will do.
  • Recognize God's Sovereignty: This verse affirms that God is actively involved in His creation and in the lives of His people, capable of performing "great things" that exceed our expectations or current understanding. It encourages us to fear not, for God is with us, and to rejoice in the Lord always.
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.

  • 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.
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