Joel 1:5 - Exposition

Three classes are called on to lament—the winebibbers, the husbandmen, and the priests. The verses before us ( Joel 1:5-7 ) contain the prophet's appeal to the drunkards. Their sin had not alarmed them; the danger with which their soul was imperilled bad not aroused them; now, however, the heavy visitation that awaited them would affect them more vehemently, touching them more nearly. Deprived of the means of their favourite indulgence, they are urged to awake from their stupid slumber and perilous day-dream. They are summoned to weep, shedding silent but bitter tears, and howl, venting their so,row and disappointment in loud and long lamentation: Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine! He backs this exhortation by a most cogent and unanswerable reason—because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. The word asis is explained by Kimchi thus: "Wine is called עסיס , and so every kind of drink that goes out (is pressed out) by bruising and treading is called עסיס , according to the meaning of the root עסס in Malachi 3:1-18 :21.