Joe 2:1-14 | KingComments | STEP | Joel pointed out in chapter 1 the devastating plague of locusts and why it was sent by God. In Joel 2 he follows this up with the announcement that God, if the people have not converted, will send a new plague. No literal locusts this time, but soldiers. Although there are many similarities between the locusts and the hostile soldiers, Joel 2 is not about what that people ‘eat’, but about that people themselves. Joel points to the day of the LORD that comes, a day in which the Lord Jesus comes back. It is literally His day, as He comes with His judgments. That day casts its shadows forward. It is a day that no one can endure who is not at peace with God. But that is not the only message Joel has. That day has not yet arrived and judgment can still be averted. It is still the day of salvation (cf. ). That is why he calls for conversion. This is possible on the basis of Who is God, that is to say, on the basis of His grace and mercy. The consequences of their repentance and conversion are a great blessing for the people. This blessing has two aspects. It is expressed in an abundant yield of the once devastated land. That refers to the external circumstances. The people will live in prosperity and abundance. It also appears in an outpouring of the Spirit. This refers to an inner relationship with the LORD and a life in peace and rest, without fear of hostile nations. The spiritual eyes of Joel perceive a new plague. A new danger threatens. The plague, in which literally locusts play the leading role, is over. The plague, in which an army of people will play the leading role, presents itself here. Joel foresees and predicts that a hostile people will destroy the land of Israel. In order to do so, an alarm must be sounded. The destruction that is about to erupt is a foreshadowing of what will happen to Israel in the last days, just before the return of Christ. Joel calls for the trumpet to be blown, but he does not say who should do it. Since this is often the task of priests, we should probably think about it here too. The alarm blowing here recalls the alarm blowing with the silver trumpets when the enemy is in the land ( ). Then the LORD will think of them. The trumpet is blown again in our chapter, in . There it is about calling the people together to appear before the LORD. Here it is meant as an alarm because the enemy comes (cf. ). As mentioned earlier, the word ‘day’ means to be revealed. Joel presents “the day of the LORD” as near. It is not in the far future, so that people could think: ‘After us the flood.’ Hence the alarm signal. They must realize how near that day is! Wherever there is talk of judgments, it is clear that they will take place soon. “Time has been shortened” ( ). “It is the last hour” ( ). “The Judge is standing right at the door” ( ). “The time is near” ( ).

‏ Joel 2:1-14

Introduction

Joel pointed out in chapter 1 the devastating plague of locusts and why it was sent by God. In Joel 2 he follows this up with the announcement that God, if the people have not converted, will send a new plague. No literal locusts this time, but soldiers. Although there are many similarities between the locusts and the hostile soldiers, Joel 2 is not about what that people ‘eat’, but about that people themselves.

Joel points to the day of the LORD that comes, a day in which the Lord Jesus comes back. It is literally His day, as He comes with His judgments. That day casts its shadows forward. It is a day that no one can endure who is not at peace with God.

But that is not the only message Joel has. That day has not yet arrived and judgment can still be averted. It is still the day of salvation (cf. 2Cor 6:2). That is why he calls for conversion. This is possible on the basis of Who is God, that is to say, on the basis of His grace and mercy. The consequences of their repentance and conversion are a great blessing for the people.

This blessing has two aspects. It is expressed in an abundant yield of the once devastated land. That refers to the external circumstances. The people will live in prosperity and abundance. It also appears in an outpouring of the Spirit. This refers to an inner relationship with the LORD and a life in peace and rest, without fear of hostile nations.

The Day of the LORD Is Near

The spiritual eyes of Joel perceive a new plague. A new danger threatens. The plague, in which literally locusts play the leading role, is over. The plague, in which an army of people will play the leading role, presents itself here. Joel foresees and predicts that a hostile people will destroy the land of Israel. In order to do so, an alarm must be sounded. The destruction that is about to erupt is a foreshadowing of what will happen to Israel in the last days, just before the return of Christ.

Joel calls for the trumpet to be blown, but he does not say who should do it. Since this is often the task of priests, we should probably think about it here too. The alarm blowing here recalls the alarm blowing with the silver trumpets when the enemy is in the land (Num 10:9). Then the LORD will think of them.

The trumpet is blown again in our chapter, in Joel 2:15. There it is about calling the people together to appear before the LORD. Here it is meant as an alarm because the enemy comes (cf. Hos 5:8 ; Hos 8:1). As mentioned earlier, the word ‘day’ means to be revealed. Joel presents “the day of the LORD” as near. It is not in the far future, so that people could think: ‘After us the flood.’ Hence the alarm signal. They must realize how near that day is!

Wherever there is talk of judgments, it is clear that they will take place soon. “Time has been shortened” (1Cor 7:29). “It is the last hour” (1Jn 2:18). “The Judge is standing right at the door” (Jam 5:9). “The time is near” (Rev 1:3).

The Assyrians

The plague of locusts is taken as an occasion and also as an example for the arrival of an enemy army. This army is yet to come. The army Joel speaks about is the Assyrian army, which comes from the north (Joel 2:20). Assyria is called by God “the rod of My anger” (Isa 10:5; Mic 5:4-5). The invasion of the Assyrians is seen as a cloud of locusts that obscures the sun (cf. Zep 1:15-16; Isa 60:2a; Eze 34:12; Amos 5:18). This invasion also takes place with the speed and irresistibility of the dawn that spreads over the mountains.

The plague of locusts is a sign of the times for the people (cf. Mt 16:2-3). And when Joel therefore speaks of an even more abominable enemy, he can compare the coming of the enemy with the dawn of the coming day of the LORD. But that day will not bring light and prosperity to the apostate people, but darkness and a devastating storm.

Paradise and Wilderness

After the sudden and massive rise of the enemy, its all-consuming effect is now described. Everything the enemy encounters on the way is totally destroyed by him. Fire in the Bible is often the expression of God’s judgment. It is also the designation of a power that consumes everything in nature.

Look at a field where the locust has not been yet. It looks like the garden of Eden, the paradise, the pride and glory of the country. Look at that field the next day when the locust has been there and it looks like a desolate wilderness, where there is no memory of the wealth and beauty that the field had the day before. All the actions of the Assyrians resemble what is caused by a plague of locusts. There is no escape from that enemy by fleeing from it or hiding from it, just as there is no escape from God’s judgment on the day of the LORD.

“The garden of Eden” is an indication for a paradisiacal, extremely flourishing area, the opposite of a wilderness (Eze 28:13 ; Eze 31:9-18). This contrast between paradise and wilderness, but then vice versa – the wilderness becomes a paradise – is also found in Isaiah 51 and Ezekiel 36 (Isa 51:3; Eze 36:35).

Locusts and Horses

Although this is about the army of the Assyrians, about men, and no longer about locusts, the comparison between this army and the locusts is still made. There are similarities between the locust and the horse (Job 39:23; Rev 9:7). The comparison can refer to the animals themselves. The enlarged locust looks like a horse, especially because of the shape of its head. The comparison can also have to do with the way of storming up, the speed and jumping ability of the locust, which is also present in a horse.

A Tremendous Noise

Not only the sight of this army is impressive and frightening. This also applies to the sound of the armed forces. This goes through the bone. The image of the horses is all about seeing, the sight of which is reminiscent of locusts. The comparison with the two-wheeled chariots is about hearing the sound that also characterizes an approaching swarm of locusts.

When the swarms approach in the distance over the mountain tops, it sounds like the dull roar of war chariots “leaping” over uneven mountain paths between the sound-enhancing mountain walls. As the swarm approaches, the sound becomes more intrusive and more like the crackling of “a flame of fire consuming the stubble”. In the same way, the rumbling of judgement can be heard from afar as a warning that it is fast approaching.

Fear and Trembling

The impression of this “mighty people” (Joel 2:5) is so overwhelming, that wherever it appears, whole nations shrink together in fear and the faces turn pale. In Joel 2:1 the fear is still limited to Judah and Jerusalem. Here other peoples are also captivated by the fear for the Assyrians. In Joel 2:10, fear encompasses the entire universe.

How the Army Advances

Lively, with short, emphatically sounding sentences, Joel reports how the army is advancing, storming the city walls, invading the city and invading the houses. You see it before you. Unstoppably, they move forward. Nothing can stop them (cf. Isa 33:4). They are invulnerable and therefore irresistible, for those who cannot be wounded cannot be stopped either. There are no openings in their ranks.

To enter, they go the way of the thief. This also belongs to the day of the Lord (1Thes 5:2). A thief comes unexpectedly and unwelcome, but only for those who do not take it into account. Once warnings have preceded the coming, you can no longer maintain that it is unexpected. Nevertheless, we must always be reminded how suddenly the predicted event will take place.

For us, Christians, the rapture of the church precedes the Lord’s day. That fact is not meant that we should not worry about that day. Certainly, we do not have to be afraid of the judgment that is related to that day. But when we see the signs of the times and the proximity of that day, the Lord’s coming for His church is even closer.

That should encourage us to look forward to Him and to a great dedication to Him. It should encourage us to warn people to repent and believe in Him before it is too late. The imperturbability and speed with which the Assyrians work should also characterize the Christian in his work and struggle for the Lord.

Earth and Heavens Impressed

With the mention of earth and heavens is indicated the most extensive environment that this army impresses. The celestial bodies even ceased their normal functions while beholding this terrible judgment.

The Army of the LORD

Here is the explanation of the success of this army: the LORD Himself is at the head of it. In the storming up army appears none but the furious LORD Himself. The hostile army is “His army”, which He uses to discipline His people (Isa 10:5). That is the most terrible of all and at the same time the only source of hope for anyone who believes. Whoever acknowledges that it is God’s judgment can resort to Him in accordance with His love for His people. Continuing to count on His love is the true character of faith throughout all times. Faith submits to the dealings of God and finds in them his salvation. He who resists God’s dealings signs his own death sentence.

The people are not called upon to resist this enemy. This enemy executes the word of the LORD – and “His word runs very swiftly” (Psa 147:15). That is why any resistance to this army is nothing but revolt against Him. The fact that this army “carries out His word” does not mean that it fulfills a previously pronounced prophecy. It only means that this army carries out His will, His commands (cf. Psa 103:20).

God does not want us to desperately resist His discipline and seek solutions to evade it. He always wants us to bow before Him and acknowledge the instrument He sends, whoever or whatever that instrument may be (Mic 6:9; cf. 1Kgs 12:24). This applies both to personal life and to communal life.

The answer to the question “who can endure it?” (cf. Rev 6:17; Nah 1:6; Mal 3:2; Jer 10:10), that is, “the day of the LORD”, is enclosed in the question. The answer is that no one can bear that day. Yet escaping is possible. The following verses show this.

A Call

Through the words “yet even now, declares the LORD”, the hope is shining that the judgment that has been announced can still be averted. “Return to Me” indicates that this is a return that leads to a new connectedness with the LORD. It is not only about a turn in the direction of, but also about a real coming to the LORD. Hence “with all your heart”, that is, with all that life is directed toward, all thoughts and will (cf. 1Sam 7:3; 1Kgs 8:48).

The LORD makes a serious appeal to the people to convert to him, and to do so radically, without any restraint. The first thing that matters is the heart, the whole heart. Half-heartedness is an abomination to God. A real conversion does not go without discernible expressions. “Fasting”, “weeping” and “mourning” will become visible and audible to someone who turns to God with all his heart.

Joel does not say what concrete sin(s) the people must repent of. For example, we do not hear of idolatry, social injustice, reliance on their own military power or alliances with neighboring countries. It can be a conversion from a superficial, confident, ritualistic religion to a new intense listening and living to the Word of God.

If the whole life is placed in the presence of God in the knowledge that He knows and judges it all, it has consequences. On the one hand it will make us shrink because of the holiness of God because we see how sinful our lives are. On the other hand, we will rise up from relief because of the love of God, because we see that He answers repentance with forgiveness of our sins. He can forgive the sins of anyone who repents because the Lord Jesus poured His blood on the cross for penitent sinners (Heb 9:22b).

No Outward Appearance

There is a saying that reads: ‘The eyes of the Lord go through the garments.’ That certainly applies here. The people can show certain signs of mourning with outward piety. Rending the garments is such a sign. But if the heart is not rend, the outward sign has no value whatsoever to God. God “desires truth in the innermost being” (Psa 51:6 ; 17; Isa 57:15). It is a conversion to “the LORD your God”, with which the prophet emphasizes that the LORD is not a strange God, but the God of the covenant with His people.

The impending disaster will affect the whole nation and therefore there is a call for national humiliation. In general, there is room for a national commemoration in case of national disasters, but not for national humiliation. Some events cause a shock to all sections of the population and sometimes there is great general indignation. And often rightly so. Just think of terrorist attacks, or the abuse and then murder of children. Protest and commemoration marches, protest and commemoration meetings are organized, in which masses of people participate. Unfortunately, however, the protest only focuses on the crime, the excess, the event.

The call is: ‘This may never happen again and the perpetrator(s) must be found and punished.’ That call is understandable. In the group one finds each other in the feeling of powerlessness. Together they want to make a fist to the uncontrollable. But where is the general humiliation? Where is the general call to God for His mercy? Where is the common call for His grace and compassion to save us more of the misery? Where is the common prayer: “Deliver us from evil” (Mt 6:13b)? [While I read this commentary again because of the translation in English, covid-19 pandemic plagues the world. We also can apply the above mentioned reactions to this plague.]

Of course, only under the reign of Christ during the thousand year realm of peace the world will be really free from the dramatic events that regularly stir up entire masses of people. Yet all these events are just as many calls to man to repent to God and live for Him.

As Moses did after the events around the golden calf, so does Joel. He calls upon the features of God. Again and again we are impressed when we remember that in God there are sources that can be tapped if the situation in man is hopeless. Therefore, after the people have sinned with the golden calf, by which they have lost their right to exist, Moses can still appeal to God (Exo 34:6-9). That is why Joel, while the people deserve the judgment that is already announcing itself in a threatening way, can also make a call to God here.

In his appeal to the LORD Joel mentions five features of Him (cf. Jona 4:2; Psa 86:15 ; Psa 103:8 ; Psa 145:8; Neh 9:17).

1. “Gracious” is He in Himself because He comes to deeds of goodness when all the right to blessing is lost.

2. “Compassionate” is He because He is quickly moved to pity when He sees how miserable His people are.

3. He is “slow to anger” in His actions toward this sinful people and

4. “abounding in lovingkindness” because all kinds of favor and goodness are present with Him, including forgiving guilt.

5. Finally, we read of Him that He is “relenting of evil”. This means that when He sees conversion, He withdraws the announced or already partially executed punishment.

When talking of repentance of God, this is a human way of speaking. If God repents of anything, it does not mean that He returns to an earlier decision because it would have been wrong. God makes no mistakes. God’s repentance has to do with an intention to which He returns if man’s behavior gives cause to do so.

If a man repents, God will not carry out the promised punishment. If a person behaves differently towards God, God also changes His way of acting towards that person. A strong example of this is the postponement of the judgment on Ahab and his house following the (temporary) humiliation of Ahab (1Kgs 21:27-29).

Who Knows …

The prophet has just given a brilliant description of some of God’s features. He does not speak of God in theological terms, but presents Him as He knows Him. Yet in his reliance on God's grace he does not allow himself to be tempted to make statements as if he can dispose of God's goodness. That is why this verse reads “who knows?” Divine sovereignty remains guaranteed.

The question “who knows?” is not an expression of doubt about God’s goodness, but shows above all human humility and modesty towards the sovereign God, Who has every right to carry out His judgments. Penance and repentance do not mean automatically being entitled to God’s grace. Joel speaks so that his hearers, as someone has said, ‘should not despair by the greatness of their sins, but also that the greatness of grace should not make them careless’. With conversion, there is reason to hope that He turns away from judgment.

But there is more. Not only does the judgment departs – which is already a great grace, though negative –, but the prophet knows his God so well that he knows that God, after the conversion of his people, also has a blessing for them. With this blessing the people can honor Him again. The blessing can refer to the restoration of the field crop that will be given by the LORD, so that again “a grain offering and a drink offering” can be brought.

The goal of every work of salvation that He accomplishes is that He will be honored. Whether it is an earthly salvation, as with Israel delivered from its enemies, or spiritual salvation, when a man is delivered from the power of Satan and sin, the ultimate goal will always be to glorify God and His Christ.