Joe 1:20 | KingComments | STEP | After the prophet has called, here is the calling of the animals. The prophet sees how the animals pant for God. The animals also suffer because of man’s unfaithfulness. God hears their cry ( ; ). With their panting for Him, the animals are an example to people. The care of God also goes out to the animals. When the curse of creation in the realm of peace is removed, the animals also share in its blessing: “O LORD, You preserve man and beast” ( ). After Jonah’s preaching, the animals must share in the humiliation proclaimed by the king of Nineveh; they too are not allowed to eat or drink anything ( ). God also involves the animals when He spares Nineveh after humiliation: “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know [the difference] between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?” ( ).

‏ Joel 1:20

The Animals Pant for the LORD

After the prophet has called, here is the calling of the animals. The prophet sees how the animals pant for God. The animals also suffer because of man’s unfaithfulness. God hears their cry (Job 38:41; Psa 104:21 ; 27). With their panting for Him, the animals are an example to people.

The care of God also goes out to the animals. When the curse of creation in the realm of peace is removed, the animals also share in its blessing: “O LORD, You preserve man and beast” (Psa 36:6c). After Jonah’s preaching, the animals must share in the humiliation proclaimed by the king of Nineveh; they too are not allowed to eat or drink anything (Jona 3:7). God also involves the animals when He spares Nineveh after humiliation: “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know [the difference] between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?” (Jona 4:11).