Joel 2 Study Notes

2:1 Commentators are divided over the identity of the invading northern army (see note at v. 20) described in chap. 2. (1) Some see it as a figurative description of the locust invasion of chap. 1. (2) Some see literal enemy troops coming from the north, described as invading locusts. (3) Revelation 9:3-11 compares demonic forces to locusts. Whether this army was man or insect, it represented the judgment force of the Lord. Joel as a spiritual watchman sounded the alarm, just as other prophets did. The Lord warned the people through his spokesman Joel on my holy mountain. This and the reference to Zion are the first geographical indicators in Joel. The prophet was called to sound the alarm to the nation from Jerusalem, from the place where the temple stood.

2:2 The people of God have often longed for the coming of the Lord. Isaiah declared, “If only you would tear the heavens open and come down, so that mountains would quake at your presence” (Is 64:1). But Joel insisted that this day would be a day of darkness . . . gloom, blackness, and destruction (Zph 1:14-17).

2:3 The coming destructive army would be like a forest fire or a locust invasion. Paradise would be turned into a desert.

2:4-5 An attack of war horses and chariots was the ancient equivalent to blitzkrieg—the lightning war. As Germany overran entire countries in World War II, so this army of locusts would gallop like war horses. The deafening sound of their charge and the roaring of a forest fire are compared to the sounds heard on the coming day of the Lord.

2:6 As in Ps 96:9; 97:4, all the peoples or nations will be terrorized by the appearance of the Lord.

2:7-8 In many biblical passages (e.g., Jdg 6:5; Is 33:4; Jr 51:14) armies are compared to locusts and sometimes locusts are compared to armies (Pr 30:27).

2:9-11 Joel continued the interplay of soldiers with the imagery and actions of a locust plague. The swarming locusts ate everything in the fields and then came into the city and finally into the houses. So also invading armies breached the city walls and then plundered the houses. Joel used end-time language and moved beyond what happens in normal locust or military invasions. The very heavens were now engaged; Yahweh and his heavenly armies were ready to wreak havoc. Judgment day had come.

2:12-13 The tone of the prophet changes from this verse to the end of his message. The phrase even now—this is the Lord’s declaration announces a wonderful possibility. Yahweh is a God of mercy and compassion to repentant sinners. Even the worst king of Judah, Manasseh, who sinned more heinously than all the rest, repented and received forgiveness (2Ch 33:10-13). “The Lord’s declaration” is a solemn promise. This is the only place where this phrase appears in Joel. Solomon’s prayer was answered by the Lord, who promised that he would forgive and heal the land from a locust plague (2Ch 7:12-16), but the Lord required genuine and sincere repentance from the people for this to happen.

2:14 The question Who knows? expresses hope based on the fact that God is free to choose pardon or punishment (2Sm 12;22). There is always hope for repentant persons, for God knows our hearts (Jnh 3:9).

2:15-17 The trumpet call summoned the people to a solemn assembly for worship and petition. This contrasts with the trumpet call of v. 1, which heralded war. This time everyone was to come, even those who normally were exempt from such gatherings. The priests were given special instructions because they were to lead the expression of the national lament and petition. Some take v. 17 to mean “Why should the nations rule over us?” This view fits the interpretation of a northern army invasion better than a literal locust invasion.

2:18-19 Joel announced the Lord’s decision to turn away his judgment and spare the nation. Starting in v. 19 the Lord speaks directly to the people. His covenant blessings will be restored, and the people will be protected from their enemies.

2:20 Who was this northern army? Though some interpreters say it was an army of locusts, the language of the passage makes this view questionable. Almost every military invasion of Israel came from the north, so it would be difficult to identify a specific army. The best approach is to interpret the enemy from the north as a reference to the end-time attack of the nations against God’s people (Is 34:1-7; Ezk 38; Dn 11:36-45).

2:21-22 The destruction caused by the locust invasion (or the invading army) is now reversed. Both land and animals will participate in the salvation of God’s people (Rm 8:19-23; Rv 21). Covenant blessings will be restored to the land (Dt 11:13-15).

2:23-24 Israel was dependent on autumn and spring rains for the prosperity of the land. Egypt could irrigate their crops from the Nile River, but Israel needed the Lord’s special provision. They must depend on him. The phrase autumn rain for your vindication can also be translated as “teacher of (or for) righteousness.” Some scholars link this phrase to the “teacher of righteousness” at the Qumran community. This could be a veiled allusion to a coming Davidic leader-teacher who would bring righteousness to the believing remnant (Dt 18:15; Jr 33:14-17).

2:25-27 The locusts served as symbols of all the invading armies that had attacked Israel and decimated the land. Several ancient interpreters listed the nation’s enemies; any one of them could be in view in the book of Joel. That God would say my great army of a pagan military force reminded Israel that Yahweh is the sovereign Lord of history. He is in control of all nations and they ultimately serve his purposes no matter their intentions (Is 45:1-7). Our food comes from Yahweh who is Lord of all nature. Thus when we have plenty to eat, we should praise God. As important as food is, the greatest blessing of all is the presence of the Lord and our knowledge of him (Is 45:4-7).

2:28-29 The OT prophets looked forward to the day when the Lord would enable his people to keep the covenant and his laws by giving them a new heart and mind (Is 32:15-20; Jr 31:33; Ezk 36:26-30). The giving of his Spirit would take place at the time of the forgiveness of their sins. Peter on the day of Pentecost announced the gift of the Spirit and the forgiveness of sins by calling on God’s name (Ac 2:21,38-40). If the people accepted Jesus as Messiah and Savior, they would receive this gift of the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s promise of the Spirit in Joel was not reserved for a few but for anyone who from all humanity would believe. Peter saw that this gift was not limited to Israel, but was for “all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Ac 2:39). This prophecy from Joel was partly fulfilled in the days of Pentecost as well as in the “Gentile Pentecost” (Ac 10), and the fulfillment has continued throughout the church age (Rm 10:13). The final fulfillment will take place at the conversion of the Jewish people (Rm 11:26-27). Moses was glad when Joshua told him that others gave evidence of having God’s Spirit by prophesying. Said Moses, “If only all the Lord’s people were prophets and the Lord would place his Spirit on them” (Nm 11:29).

2:30-31 The cosmic signs that are part of the day of the Lord inspire awe for believers and terror for unbelievers. This day is one of salvation as well as judgment (Rv 6:12-17).

2:32 This verse shows the human obligation (calls on the name of the Lord) and the divine role in salvation (among the survivors the Lord calls). Both “calls” are necessary for salvation. God does not save those who do not call on him, and none call whom he has not called.