ye shall eat, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:5 ). App-92 . eat = eat on. praise, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:24 .Deuteronomy 12:7 ; Deuteronomy 16:11 ; Deuteronomy 26:11 ). App-92 . shall never be ashamed. This is repeated at the end of the next verse by the Figure of speech Epistrophe ( App-6 ) for emphasis. Not "a copyist's error", alleged. read more
Joel 2:26. And ye shall eat in plenty, &c.— And ye shall certainly eat, and be satisfied, &c. Dr. Sharpe observes, that these words cannot, with any degree of sense, or propriety of language, be interpreted of any other joyful event, than the return of captive Israel and Judah from Babylon. read more
26. never be ashamed—shall no longer endure the "reproach of the heathen ( :-), [MAURER]; or rather, "shall not bear the shame of disappointed hopes," as the husbandmen had heretofore ( :-). So spiritually, waiting on God, His people shall not have the shame of disappointment in their expectations from Him ( :-). read more
III. A NEAR FUTURE DAY OF THE LORD: A HUMAN INVASION 2:1-27Joel had spoken briefly of a coming day of the Lord in Joel 1:15, but now he said more about it.The term "the day of the Lord" seems to have arisen from the popular concept, in the ancient Near East, that a really great warrior king could consummate an entire military campaign in one single day. [Note: See Douglas Stuart, "The Sovereign’s Day of Conquest," Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 220/21 (December 1975,... read more
C. The possibility of forgiveness and restoration 2:18-27Joel next revealed the Lord’s response and comforting words in view of the people’s private and public repentance. It is unclear whether he meant that the Lord had responded or would respond. The problem is the Hebrew perfect verbs, which can be rendered in English with either past or future verbs. Several English translations (NASB, NIV, AV) interpreted the Lord’s response as being conditioned on the people’s repentance and translated... read more
2. The Lord’s promise of blessing 2:19-27Having given His essential response to the people’s repentance, the Lord now explained what He would do in more detail. This section is chiastic with the focus of emphasis on Joel 2:21-24. Joel 2:19; Joel 2:26-27 promise a restoration of crops and a cessation of shame. Joel 2:20; Joel 2:25 promise the elimination of enemies, and Joel 2:21-24 urge courage and encourage rejoicing. read more
The people would have plenty to eat and would feel satisfied physically. They would also be full spiritually and praise Yahweh their God for working wonders for them (cf. Exodus 3:15; Exodus 15:11; Exodus 34:10; Joshua 3:5; Judges 6:13; Psalms 77:14). They would never be put to shame, again assuming that they continued in their attitude of humble trust and obedience (cf. Joel 2:19). God’s blessings would evidence His presence among them and the intimacy of their fellowship with Him (cf. Numbers... read more
Repentance followed by RestorationJoel 2:1-17 are another description of the locust plague. An alarm is sounded as though the Day of Jehovah had come (Joel 2:1-3). The advance of the locusts into the city is described under the figure of an invading army (Joel 2:4-11). A message to the penitent is given from Jehovah (Joel 2:12-14), and a call is issued for a fast of supplication (Joel 2:15-17). Then follow the announcements that Jehovah has had pity on His people, and that He will remove the... read more
Conversion (Ash Wednesday) Joel 2:12 A great national calamity, either impending or just passed, was the occasion of the prophecy of Joel. It is traceable to national sin, and its remedy is national repentance. The words of our text bring before us a matter which is peculiarly fit for Ash Wednesday consideration the doctrine of Conversion; for conversion is the first step in that life of penitence to which Lent calls us. But conversion is a subject about which there is much misunderstanding. ... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joel 2:12-27
2:12-32 GOD’S MERCY ON THE REPENTANTRepentance and restoration (2:12-27)Although God is the one who has sent this judgment, it is not too late for the people to ask for his mercy. However, this must be accompanied by genuine inward repentance, not just by the outward show of torn clothing, sackcloth and ashes. God may then restore their fields and vineyards, and they will be able to worship him with their cereal and wine offerings again (12-14).Once more a trumpet is blown, but this time to... read more