Joel 2:22

22 Wild animals, don't be afraid, because the open pastures have grown grass. The trees have given fruit; the fig trees and the grapevines have grown much fruit.

Joel 2:22 Meaning and Commentary

Joel 2:22

Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field
Which before groaned, and were perplexed for want of pasture, and cried because of the drought, ( Joel 1:18 Joel 1:20 ) ; perhaps the Gentiles may be here designed, in the mystic and spiritual sense, in distinction from the Jews, the children of Zion, in ( Joel 2:23 ) ; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring;
grass in abundance springs up in them, and covers them, so that there was plenty of food for the beasts of the field: for the tree beareth her fruit;
brings forth and bears fruit suitable to it, agreeable to its nature: the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength;
send forth their branches, put forth their buds, their leaves and fruit. This and the preceding clause cannot be understood as a reason why the beasts of the field should not be afraid, for they relate not to them, but to men; and may serve to confirm the mystic sense of the words, as they may refer to the great fruitfulness produced in the wilderness of the Gentile world, through the preaching of the Gospel in the times of the Messiah; which are more clearly pointed at in ( Joel 2:23 ) ; and which were introduced with great outward peace and plenty; and the Jews ^F6 by the tree bearing her fruit, in the preceding clause, understand barren trees bearing fruit.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 T. Bab. Cetubot, fol. 112. 2.

Joel 2:22 In-Context

20 I will force the army from the north to leave your land and go into a dry, empty land. Their soldiers in front will be forced into the Dead Sea, and those in the rear into the Mediterranean Sea. Their bodies will rot and stink.

21 Land, don't be afraid; be happy and full of joy, because the Lord has done a wonderful thing.

22 Wild animals, don't be afraid, because the open pastures have grown grass. The trees have given fruit; the fig trees and the grapevines have grown much fruit.

23 So be happy, people of Jerusalem; be joyful in the Lord your God. Because he does what is right, he has brought you rain; he has sent the fall rain and the spring rain for you, as before.

24 And the threshing floors will be full of grain; the barrels will overflow with new wine and olive oil.