Joel 2:18

18 Then the LORD became jealous for His land,

Joel 2:18 Meaning and Commentary

Joel 2:18

Then will the Lord be jealous for his land
Or "zealous" for it; for the honour of it, and the good of its inhabitants, and for the glory of his own name, it being the chief place in the world for his worship and service; and his indignation will be moved against those who have brought desolation on it: and pity his people;
as a father his children, who had suffered much, and had been reduced to great distress by the locusts, or by their enemies: this the prophet foretells would be done upon their repentance, fasting, prayers, and tears; or, as some think, this is a narrative of what had been done, and the prophet was a witness of; that the people meeting together with their princess and priests, and humbling themselves before the Lord, and crying to him, he expressed a zeal and compassion for them, and delivered them out of their troubles; for though their humiliation is not expressed, it may be understood and supposed, as doubtless, it was fact.

Joel 2:18 In-Context

16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,

17 Let the priests who minister before the LORD

18 Then the LORD became jealous for His land,

19 And the LORD answered His people:

20 The northern army I will drive away from you,