Joel 2:5-15

5 As they leap on the tops of the mountains, they rattle like chariots; they crackle like dry grass on fire. They are lined up like a great army ready for battle.

6 As they approach, everyone is terrified; every face turns pale.

7 They attack like warriors; they climb the walls like soldiers. They all keep marching straight ahead and do not change direction

8 or get in each other's way. They swarm through defenses, and nothing can stop them.

9 They rush against the city; they run over the walls; they climb up the houses and go in through the windows like thieves.

10 The earth shakes as they advance; ¹ the sky trembles. The sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine.

11 The Lord thunders commands to his army. ² The troops that obey him are many and mighty. How terrible is the day of the Lord! Who will survive it?

12 "But even now," says the Lord, "repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning.

13 Let your broken heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough." Come back to the Lord your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish.

14 Perhaps the Lord your God will change his mind and bless you with abundant crops. Then you can offer him grain and wine.

15 Blow the trumpet on Mount Zion; give orders for a fast and call an assembly!

Joel 2:5-15 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

• 1. 2.10Revelation 8.12.
• 2. 2.11Revelation 6.17.