Joel 1
The Lord calls Joel to be His spokesman (prophet) to give His
message to the people of Judah 1. The leaders and common people are
told to hear, listen, and heed 2. What was being told was to be
told for generations 3. The Lord was sending a swarm of locusts
against His people as a means of His judgment 4. Whether literal or
symbolical of an invading army the outcome is the same. The people
were in a drunken and soon to be out of wine 5. The invading nation
would be ruthless 6-7. Note: Throughout this book the Lord says
'MY'...vines, fig trees 7,holy hill 2:1,3:17; servants 2:29; silver
and gold 3:5. These are all His ! The people and priests were to
mourn over what is coming 8-9. The fields and vines will be dried
up 10-12. Either through drought or the aftermath of war. Notice
that, that which brings mankind joy is withered away 12b. The Lord
calls them to a fast and repentance before Him 13-14. The 'Day of
the Lord' is a day (time period) in which the Lord acts in
judgment. It is like destruction from the Almighty 15b.The impact
will be upon the food, produce, and animals of the field 16-18.
Note: Living in the land of plenty, you or I do not know the
serious nature of not having food to eat. The Lord can remove these
as a punishment for sin. In verse 19-20 Joel appears to offer a
prayer in the first person. He relates what has happened and the
suffering that has resulted. Fire is devastating and consumes. The
fire of God's judgment is the same (Hebrews 12:25-29).
Joel 2
To blow the trumpet was a call the people to action (to hear and
heed) 1. The day of the Lord was coming and its is a day of
darkness and gloom 1b-2. There is no escaping it. The destruction
is described as a devouring fire 3. The invading army is mounted on
horses and strike fear into the hearts of all the people 4-10.
There appears to be no stopping them as they 'march' in their given
ranks (like locusts, chapter 1 ?). The Lord is at the head of this
army 11 ? Note: So far we have seen that 'the day of the Lord'
is...destruction 1:15; dark 2:2; and dreadful 2:11...who can endure
it ? The Lord calls for the people to return to Him with
repentance, described as rending of the hearts (brokenness over
sin) 12-13. The Lord is gracious and compassionate 13b, He may
relent and show pity and bring a blessing upon them 14. The trumpet
call is for fasting, mourning, and repentance from sin on the part
of the people and the priests 15-17. God even gives them guidance
as to how to pray 17b. Note: That the goal of prayer is not just
repentance from sin or the removal of judgment, but the very
character of God which may be called into question by those
observing these things. In other words, is the character and nature
of God being called into question ? How will the Lord be perceived
? The Lord replies to this by affirming His plans for the land and
the people 18-27. The Lord would restore grain, oil, and wine to
the land 19. The army from the north will be pushed back 20 and the
hand of the Lord will be recognized as doing this 21. The animals
will again have pasture lands 22. Rains will return to water the
land making it productive 23-24. All that was lost and destroyed
would be restored 25-26. They will praise the Lord and never be put
to shame again 26. They will fully recognize the Lord as the source
of all this 27. Note: When I read the words 'never again' I
understand this to be a yet future event since, in the history of
Israel and the Jews they have been put to shame and removed from
the land, time and time again. The very fact that the Lord
would pour our His Spirit in fullness indicates that His plan of
restoration is not merely physical or material. The restoration HE
has for His people is also spiritual, which was at the heart of
their problems 28-32. This prophecy was and is being fulfilled from
the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and into the current church age.
While the believer in Jesus Christ enters these blessings, there is
also a fulfillment that will be unique to the Jewish nation when
the Lord finally and fully restores them to Himself. Other OT
prophets foretold this same restoration and fullness (Isaiah
11-12,35,40,54-55,61 for some parallel passages). The word in verse
32 is always enforce for people of all ages and places during this
'age of grace'.
Joel 3
The reference to a particular time indicates that the Lord would
(at some point) restore His people and also gather the nations of
the world together. HE would judge the nations of the world fro how
they treated us people 1-3. The Lord will judge these nations for
selling His people 4-8. This would unfold in war 9-11. The Lord
would be acting in judgment because of the wickedness of the
peoples of the world 12-13. When this occurs (for it has not yet)
the Lord will roar from Zion and will deliver His people 14-16.
Note: World events, which culminate with the return of Christ,
include a prominent place for the nation of Israel. The Lord will
do all these things and His people will know it 17 ! The very fact
that Israel has been invaded by foreigners and scattered among the
nations (until 1948) would say this has not yet be fulfilled. In
fact the blessings of 18-21 are still a future event. In that day,
the Lord will dwell in Zion 21b ! What a tremendous encouragement
to realize that God has a plan for His people and the nations of
the world. All the promises He has made, HE WILL bring them to pass
and then all will bow in worship and say the Lord, HE is GOD !