The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV
Page 419
u“Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
13So vrend your heart, and not wyour garments;
Return to the LORD your God,
For He is xgracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm.
14y Who knows if He will turn and relent,
And leave za blessing behind Him—
a A grain offering and a drink offering
For the LORD your God?
15b Blow the 6trumpet in Zion,
c Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly;
16Gather the people,
d Sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the elders,
Gather the children and nursing babes;
e Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber,
And the bride from her dressing room.
17Let the priests, who minister to the LORD,
Weep fbetween the porch and the altar;
Let them say, g“Spare Your people, O LORD,
And do not give Your heritage to reproach,
That the nations should 7rule over them.
h Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’ ”
The Land Refreshed
(Acts 2:17)
18Then the LORD will ibe zealous for His land,
And pity His people.
19The LORD will answer and say to His people,
“Behold, I will send you jgrain and new wine and oil,
And you will be satisfied by them;
I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.
20“But kI will remove far from you lthe northern army,
And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land,
With his face toward the eastern sea
And his back mtoward the western sea;
His stench will come up,
And his foul odor will rise,
Because he has done 8monstrous things.”
21Fear not, O land;
Be glad and rejoice,
For the LORD has done 9marvelous things!
22Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field;
For nthe open pastures are springing up,
And the tree bears its fruit;
The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
23Be glad then, you children of Zion,
And orejoice in the LORD your God;
For He has given you the 10former rain faithfully,
And He pwill cause the rain to come down for you—
The former rain,
And the latter rain in the first month.
24The threshing floors shall be full of wheat,
And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
25“So I will restore to you the years qthat the swarming 11locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.
26You shall reat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the LORD your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to sshame.
27Then you shall know that I am tin the midst of Israel:
u I am the LORD your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame.
God’s Spirit Poured Out
28“Andv it shall come to pass afterward
That wI will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
x Your sons and your ydaughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
29And also on My zmenservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
30“And aI will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
31b The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
c Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
32And it shall come to pass
That dwhoever calls on the name of the LORD
Shall be 12saved.
For ein Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be 13deliverance,
As the LORD has said,
Among fthe remnant whom the LORD calls.
Joel 3
God Judges the Nations
1“For behold, ain those days and at that time,
When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,
2b I will also gather all nations,
And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
And I cwill enter into judgment with them there
On account of My people, My heritage Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
They have also divided up My land.
3They have dcast lots for My people,
Have given a boy as payment for a harlot,
And sold a girl for wine, that they may drink.
4“Indeed, what have you to do with Me,
e O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia?
Will you 1retaliate against Me?
But if you 2retaliate against Me,
Swiftly and speedily I will return your 3retaliation upon your own head;
5Because you have taken My silver and My gold,
And have carried into your temples My 4prized possessions.
6Also the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem
You have sold to the Greeks,
That you may remove them far from their borders.
7“Behold, fI will raise them
Out of the place to which you have sold them,
And will return your 5retaliation upon your own head.
8I will sell your sons and your daughters
Into the hand of the people of Judah,
And they will sell them to the gSabeans,6
To a people hfar off;
For the LORD has spoken.”
9i Proclaim this among the nations:
“Prepare for war!
Wake up the mighty men,
Let all the men of war draw near,
Let them come up.
10j Beat your plowshares into swords
And your 7pruning hooks into spears;
k Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’ ”
11Assemble and come, all you nations,
And gather together all around.
Cause lYour mighty ones to go down there, O LORD.
12“Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
For there I will sit to mjudge all the surrounding nations.
13n Put in the sickle, for othe harvest is ripe.
Come, go down;
For the pwinepress is full,
The vats overflow—
For their wickedness is great.”
14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
For qthe day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15The sun and moon will grow dark,
And the stars will diminish their brightness.
16The LORD also will roar from Zion,
And utter His voice from Jerusalem;
The heavens and earth will shake;
r But the LORD will be a shelter for His people,
And the strength of the children of Israel.
17“So you shall know that I am the LORD your God,
Dwelling in Zion My sholy mountain.
Then Jerusalem shall be holy,
And no aliens shall ever pass through her again.”
God Blesses His People
18And it will come to pass in that day
That the mountains shall drip with new wine,
The hills shall flow with milk,
And all the
brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water;
A tfountain shall flow from the house of the LORD
And water the Valley of 8Acacias.
19“Egypt shall be a desolation,
And Edom a desolate wilderness,
Because of violence against the people of Judah,
For they have shed innocent blood in their land.
20But Judah shall abide forever,
And Jerusalem from generation to generation.
21For I will uacquit them of the guilt of bloodshed, whom I had not acquitted;
For the LORD dwells in Zion.”
Joel Commentaries
Joel 1
1:1 The word of the LORD. This introductory phrase is commonly employed by the prophets to indicate that the message was divinely commissioned. Cf. Hos. 1:1; Mic. 1:1; Zeph. 1:1. Slightly varied forms are found in 1 Sam. 15:10; 2 Sam. 24:11; Jer. 1:2; Ezek. 1:3; Jon. 1:1; Zech. 1:1; Mal. 1:1. LORD. A distinctively Israelitish designation for God; the name speaks of intimacy and a relationship bonded metaphorically through the covenant likened to marriage and thus carries special significance to Israel (Ex. 3:14). Joel. His name means “the LORD is God.” Pethuel. His name means “openheartedness of/toward God” and is the only occurrence of this name in the Bible.
1:2–20 The prophet described the contemporary Day of the LORD. The land was suffering massive devastation caused by a locust plague and drought. The details of the calamity (vv. 2–12) are followed by a summons to communal penitence and reformation (vv. 13–20).
1:2 Hear…give ear. The gravity of the situation demanded the undivided focus of their senses, emphasizing the need to make a conscious, purposeful decision in the matter. The terminology was commonly used in “lawsuit” passages (cf. Is. 1:2; Hos. 4:1), intimating that Israel was found guilty and that the present judgment was her “sentence.” elders…all you inhabitants. The former term refers to the civil and religious leaders, who, in light of their position, were exhorted to lead by example the entire population toward repentance.
1:3 Tell…children…another generation. The pedagogical importance of reciting the LORD’s mighty acts to subsequent generations is heavily underscored by the 3-fold injunction (cf. Ex. 10:1–6; Deut. 4:9; 6:6, 7; 11:19; 32:7; Pss. 78:5–7; 145:4–7; Prov. 4:1ff.).
1:4 locust. The 4 kinds of locusts refer to their species or their stages of development. Cf. 2:25, where the writer mentions them in different order. The total destruction caused by their voracious appetites demands repentance (cf. Deut. 28:38; Is. 33:4; Amos 7:1).
1:5–12 Total destruction affected all social and economic levels. Affected were the drunkards who delighted in the abundance of the vine (vv. 5–7), the priests who utilized the produce in the offerings (vv. 8–10), and the farmers who planted, cultivated, and reaped the harvest (vv. 11, 12). As if building toward a crescendo, the prophet noted in the first stanza that the luxuries of life were withdrawn. In the second, the elements needed to worship were interrupted. In the third, the essentials for living were snatched away. To lose the enjoyment of wine was one thing; to no longer be able to outwardly worship God was another; but to have nothing to eat was the sentence of death!
1:5 Awake…weep…wail. The drunkards were to awaken to the realization that their wine would be no more. They were to weep bitterly and to wail. The severity of the devastation called for public, communal mourning. new wine. Occasionally translated “sweet wine,” the term can denote either freshly squeezed grape juice or newly fermented wine (cf. Is. 49:26).
1:6, 7 My land…vine…fig tree. The possessive pronoun refers to the LORD. He is the owner of the land (cf. Lev. 25:23; Num. 36:2; Ezek. 38:16), the vine, and the fig tree (cf. Hos. 2:9). Instead of symbols of prosperity and peace (1 Kin. 4:25; Mic. 4:4; Zech. 3:10), the vine and fig tree had become visual reminders of divine judgment.
1:6 a nation. A literal invasion of locusts pictured the kind of destruction and judgment inflicted by human armies. teeth of a lion. Joel described these hostile, countless locusts as possessing the “fangs of a fierce lion,” so able were they to devour anything in their path. They are occasionally used as symbolic of violence (Gen. 49:9; Num. 23:24) and of the violent, awesome nature of God’s judgment (Is. 30:6; Hos. 13:8).
1:8, 9 The metaphor is significant because the OT speaks of the LORD as the husband of Israel, His wife (Is. 54:5–8; Jer. 31:32). The covenantal offerings and libations could not be carried out; Israel, the wife of the LORD, was to repent, lest her relationship with the LORD became like that of the young widowed maiden.
1:8 Lament like a virgin. As with the drunkards, the religious leaders were to lament as a young maiden would upon the death of her youthful husband, wherein she exchanged the silky fabric of a wedding dress and the joy of a wedding feast for the scratchy, coarse clothing of goat’s hair and the cry of a funeral dirge. The term “virgin” lacks the notion of virginity in many cases (e.g., Esth. 2:17; Ezek. 23:3), and when coupled together with the term “husband,” points to a young maiden widowed shortly after marriage. sackcloth. Fabric generally made of goat’s hair, usually black or dark in color (cf. Rev. 6:12), and usually placed on the bare body around the hips (Gen. 37:34; 1 Kin. 21:27), leaving the chest free for “beating” (Is. 32:11, 12), was used in the ancient world to depict sorrow and penitence (Neh. 9:1; Is. 37:1; Matt. 11:21). Because the prophets’ message usually dealt with a call to repentance, it became the principal garment worn by prophets (Matt. 3:4; Rev. 11:3).
1:9 grain offering…drink offering have been cut off. To cut off these offerings, sacrificed each morning and evening (Ex. 29:38–42; Lev. 23:13), was to cut off the people from the covenant. The gravity of the situation was deepened by the fact that it threatened the livelihood of the priests, who were given a portion of most sacrifices.
1:11 Be ashamed, you farmers. The primary emphasis of the Heb. term connotes a public disgrace, a physical state to which the guilty party has been forcibly brought.
1:12 All the trees…are withered. The picture was bleak, for even the deep roots of the trees could not withstand the torturous treatment administered by the locusts, especially when accompanied by an extended drought. joy has withered. Human joy and delight had departed from all segments of society; none had escaped the grasp of the locusts. The joy that normally accompanied the time of harvest had been replaced with despair.
Joel 1:12
Day of the Lord
Nineteen Explicit Mentions Of “Day Of The Lord” In The Old Testament
1. Obad. 15
2. Joel 1:15
3. Joel 2:1
4. Joel 2:11
5. Joel 2:31
6. Joel 3:14
7. Amos 5:18
8. Amos 5:18
9. Amos 5:20
10. Is. 2:12
11. Is. 13:6
12. Is. 13:9
13. Zeph. 1:7
14. Zeph. 1:14
15. Zeph. 1:14
16. Ezek. 13:5
17. Ezek. 30:3
18. Zech. 14:1
19. Mal. 4:5
Four Explicit Mentions Of “Day Of The Lord” In The New Testament
1. Acts 2:20
2. 1 Thess. 5:2
3. 2 Thess. 2:2
4. 2 Pet. 3:10
1:14 Consecrate a fast. The prophet called the priests to take action, first by example (v. 13) and then by proclamation (v. 14). As the official leaders, it was their duty to proclaim a public fast so that the entire nation could repent and petition the LORD to forgive and restore. Here they were admonished to “consecrate” a fast, denoting its urgent, sacred character. Call a sacred assembly. Directives for calling an assembly, generally for festive purposes (cf. 2 Chr. 7:9; Neh 8:18), are given in Num. 10:3. Parallel in thought to “consecrate a fast,” no work was permitted on such days (Lev. 23:36; Num. 29:35; Deut. 16:8).
1:15 the day of the LORD is at hand. See Introduction: Historical and Theological Themes. This is the first occurrence of the theme. Later in the book (2:18ff.; 3:1, 18–21), the
Day of the LORD (the occasion when God pours out His wrath on man) results in blessing and exoneration for God’s people and judgment toward Gentiles (Is. 13:6; Ezek. 30:3), but here Joel directs the warning toward his own people. The Day of the LORD is speedily approaching; unless sinners repent, dire consequences await them. destruction from the Almighty. The Heb. term “destruction” forms a powerful play on words with the “Almighty.” The notion of invincible strength is foremost; destruction at the hand of omnipotent God is coming.
1:17, 18 seed shrivels…animals groan. From the spiritual realm to the physical realm, all was in shambles. Though innocent, in judgment even the animals suffered (cf. Rom. 8:18–22) the loss of food.
1:19 to You I cry out. As the first to call to repentance, the prophet had to be the first to heed the warning. He had to lead by example and motivate the people to respond. In the midst of proclaiming judgment, God’s prophets often led in intercessory prayer for mercy and forgiveness (cf. Ex. 32:11–14; Jer. 42:1–4; Dan. 9:1–19; Amos 7:1–6).
Joel 2
2:1–17 With an increased level of intensity, Joel utilized the metaphor of the locust plague and drought as a backdrop from which to launch an intensified call to repent in view of the coming invasion of Judah and the Day of the LORD, present and future.
2:1 Blow the trumpet. In the ancient world, horns were used to gather people for special occasions or to warn of danger (Ex. 19:13, 16, 19; 20:18; Num. 10:1–10; Is. 27:13; Amos 3:6; Zeph. 1:14–16; Zech. 9:14; 1 Thess. 4:16). The term here refers to a ram’s horn. day of the LORD. See note on 1:15.
2:2–11 In dramatic and vivid language, Joel compared the drought and locusts to fire, horses, and an invading army.
2:2 darkness and gloominess…clouds and thick darkness. These features describe the blackness of a locust invasion, so thick that it blots out the sun with its deadly living cloud of insects. Such terms are also often common figures for misery and calamity in the OT (Is. 8:22; 60:2; Jer. 13:16; Amos 5:18, 20; Zeph. 1:15) and past visitations of the LORD (Ex. 10:12ff.; 19:16–19; 24:16; Deut 4:12; 5:22, 23).
2:4 Their appearance is like…horses. The resemblance of the locust’s head to that of a horse is striking, so much so that the prophet reiterates the word “appearance.” Horses were not used for agricultural purposes in ancient times, but were the most feared military equipment (Ex. 15:1ff.,19; Deut. 20:1; Josh. 11:4). The simile continues with “like chariots” (v. 5); “like a strong people” (v. 5); “like mighty men” (v. 7); and “like men of war” (v. 7).