Joel 2:9-19

9 They rush on the city. They run on the wall. They climb up into the houses. They enter in at the windows like thieves.

10 The eretz quakes before them. The heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, And the stars withdraw their shining.

11 The LORD thunders his voice before his army; For his forces are very great; For he is strong who obeys his command; For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome, And who can endure it?

12 "Yet even now," says the LORD, "turn to me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning."

13 Tear your heart, and not your garments, And turn to the LORD, your God; For he is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, And relents from sending calamity.

14 Who knows? He may turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind him, Even a meal offering and a drink offering to the LORD, your God.

15 Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly.

16 Gather the people. Sanctify the assembly. Assemble the Zakenim. Gather the children, and those who suck the breasts. Let the bridegroom go forth from his room, And the bride out of her chamber.

17 Let the Kohanim, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, "Spare your people, LORD, And don't give your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"

18 Then the LORD was jealous for his land, And had pity on his people.

19 The LORD answered his people, "Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, And you will be satisfied with them; And I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.

Joel 2:9-19 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.