Joel 2

November 6, 2022

Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.

Reading along with us in Joel? Here’s today’s reading:

Joel 2 (NIV)

An Army of Locusts
1 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy hill.
Let all who live in the land tremble,
for the day of the Lord is coming.
It is close at hand—
2 a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness.
Like dawn spreading across the mountains
a large and mighty army comes,
such as never was in ancient times
nor ever will be in ages to come..........Continue Reading

Next: Joel 3
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Back: Joel 1

This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. You wonder if Israel repented back then. Their history would have changed. No captivity in Babylon. Greece or Rome. Or Hitler.??? The oppression they went through. Was it necessary so that the gentiles would have a chance?? Was this Gods plan?

    Reply

  3. Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and abounding in love,
    and he relents from sending calamity.
    For all the destruction and judgement we read about in the old testament God always balances it with Hope. The hope of restoration that come from true repentance! A reminder that God can and will punish but His heart wants to love and have true genuine relationships with His people. Our perfect Father!

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  4. The description of the day of the Lord is terrifying, but Joel says that God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, who gives out blessings. And that is exactly what God does when the people repent, fast, pray and cry out to him. He takes pity on his people and restores their land and promises to one day pour out his Holy Spirit upon them. When we stray away from him, all he wants is for us to repent of our sin and return to him. He loves us so much that he wants us to be in relationship with him, and all those who call on his name will be saved and filled with his Holy Spirit.

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  7. The day of the Lord has a lot to say to those who see God in only one dimension: simply loving. And yet the day of the Lord is never spoken of in those terms. It is always spoken of in terms of judgement and recompense…surely mercy and restoration follow….but the day of the Lord is always pictured woefully. And the day of the Lord for Joel is both near and far. He sees the judgement that God brings through the locusts, graphically pictured here as human army, marching in order and bringing destruction, as a near expression of the day of the Lord. But Joel then calls the people rightfully to repent and possibly stay God’s hand. it is truly the best they can do to make all the wrong they have done as right as it can be. And yet judgement is never the final answer for God’s people. And what an expression of love and restoration is given here that shows God’s truer heart for the Jews. He will make things right after they have made so many things wrong. He will restore them for the years the locusts have eaten.

    And then Joel writes in verse 28, and afterward…..Peter quotes this passage in Acts chapter 2 to explain to the Israelites in Jerusalem what has happened at Pentecost. But the day of the Lord resurfaces again, in the end. And it is the phrase used to describe how God will act in the end towards the rebellion of the world. And it will be dreadful, and yet in spite of that it will be true that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. God always offers mercy to those who call out to Him, even as He brings judgment on those who don’t.

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  8. A powerful chapter in all aspects.
    The utter destruction of the land and people by a strong human army.
    A call to repentance.
    Hope for the land.
    A Spiritual awakening.

    I like the line in this portion that says, “rend your hearts, not your garments.” This is not an outward display, a show, or good works, this is a state of the heart.

    Now, therefore,” says the Lord,
    “Turn to Me with all your heart,
    With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
    So rend your heart, and not your garments;
    Return to the Lord your God,
    For He is gracious and merciful,
    Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
    And He relents from doing harm.
    Who knows if He will turn and relent,
    And leave a blessing behind Him—
    A grain offering and a drink offering
    For the Lord your God?

    Reply

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