Joel 2:15-18

15 1Blow a trumpet in Zion, 2Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly,
16 Gather the people, 3sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the 4bridegroom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber.
17 Let the priests, the LORD'S ministers, Weep 5between the porch and the altar, And let them say, "6Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not make Your inheritance a 7reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, '8Where is their God?' "

Deliverance Promised

18 Then the LORD will be 9zealous for His land And will have 10pity on His people.

Joel 2:15-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOEL 2

In this chapter a further account is given of the judgment of the locusts and caterpillars, or of those who are designed by them, Joe 2:1-11; the people of the Jews are called to repentance, humiliation, and fasting, urged from the grace and goodness of God, his jealousy and pity for his people, and the answer of prayer that might he expected from him upon this, even to the removal of the calamity, Joe 2:12-20; a prophecy of good things, both temporal and spiritual, in the times of the Messiah, is delivered out as matter and occasion of great joy, Joe 2:21-27; and another concerning the effusion of the Spirit, which was fulfilled an the day of Pentecost, Joe 2:28-29; and the chapter is concluded with the judgments and desolations that should come upon the land of Judea after this, for their rejection of Christ, though the remnant according to the election of grace should be delivered and saved from the general destruction, Joe 2:30-32.

Cross References 10

  • 1. Numbers 10:3; 2 Kings 10:20
  • 2. Joel 1:14
  • 3. 1 Samuel 16:5; 2 Chronicles 29:5
  • 4. Psalms 19:5
  • 5. 2 Chronicles 8:12; Ezekiel 8:16
  • 6. Exodus 32:11, 12; Isaiah 37:20; Amos 7:2, 5
  • 7. Psalms 44:13; Psalms 74:10
  • 8. Psalms 42:10; Psalms 79:10; Psalms 115:2
  • 9. Zechariah 1:14; Zechariah 8:2
  • 10. Isaiah 60:10; Isaiah 63:9, 15

Footnotes 2

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.