Joel 2:18–27

2:18–19 God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5) who has particular love and concern for his people. The verb “became jealous” is parallel to “had pity” (Joel 2:18). The first verb points to an attitude that finds its outward expression in the manner indicated by the second. The sinful nation has not been cast off by God, for its people are still “his people.” That same thought is repeatedly expressed by other prophets as well (cf. Isa. 49:25–26; 54:4–9; Jer. 30:1–3; 31:1–6). The words of the Lord depict a restoration of the land to its condition before the locust plague, with crops again yielding grain, wine, and oil. The earlier report of famine that described a lack of such produce (Joel 1:10) is reversed, with assurance given of hunger being satisfied. The presence of God’s hand in all that happens is emphasized in the final clause of 2:19. The prayer of the people (v. 17) will be answered, for the Lord in his sovereignty will ensure that the people are no longer mocked by the surrounding Gentile nations. His “heritage” will not become a reproach.

2:20 The Lord’s words for the people continue in this verse. The word translated “northerner” occurs only here in the OT. Many writers have suggested that it refers to an army coming from the north. However, if the references to the locusts earlier in this book are taken literally, then this term most likely relates to that plague as well. Well-documented instances of locusts coming from the north support the continuing interpretation of an insect plague, not an actual army. God, who in his sovereignty brought the locusts, is also the one who will remove them from the land. They will be driven away into the eastern (Dead) and western (Mediterranean) seas, and the dead locusts will emit a powerful stench. The last sentence does not indicate who it is that has “done great things.” While ancient versions made “the army” the subject of this verb, it is better to link this verse with the following one (v. 21) and understand the subject to be “the LORD,” who explicitly is named in that verse. The identical expression occurs elsewhere to describe the Lord’s mighty deeds (cf. Ps. 126:2–3).

2:21–22 These two verses begin with the same standardized expression (“Fear not”) found approximately seventy-five times in the OT. The expression is normally followed, as here, by an explanation for the reassurance given. The first occurrence of the expression (v. 21) states that the Lord has done great things; God’s intervention on behalf of his people calls forth festive joy. The second identical command (v. 22) specifies particular demonstrations of his favor. The animals will no longer be deprived of food (cf. 1:20) and will enjoy abundant pastures, fruitful trees, and vineyards yielding a plentiful crop.

2:23 The positive commands of verse 21 are repeated in the plural (“Be glad . . . and rejoice”). To the imperatives is added the object in whom they are to rejoice: “the LORD your God.” In spite of their sins, God has not cast away his own covenantal people but is reversing the effects of the plague of locusts. The joy and gladness of which the people were deprived (1:16) are to be restored. The following clause, “He has given the early rain¹ for your vindication,” declares that the covenantal curse of withheld rain and dew (Lev. 26:18–20; Deut. 28:23–24) is to be annulled, and divine blessing will again be displayed (Lev. 26:3–4; Deut. 11:13–14); both early rain (October/November) and latter rain (March/April) will be restored.

2:24–25 Restoration means full threshing floors and vats (v. 24). What the locust destroyed (1:5–12) will again be present as a result of God’s blessing. None of Joel’s listeners or readers should misunderstand how such reversal of fortune is to occur. Just as the Lord is removing the locust plague—his army (2:20, 25)—so also is he restoring former blessings (“I will restore”; v. 25). Curse and blessing both come from him. The years of the locust are past,² and renewal for the land is ahead. This is God’s answer and his demonstration of pity for his people (cf. 2:18–19).

2:26–27 With the locusts gone and regular harvests restored, the message to the people is that their food supply is secure into the future (v. 26). Hunger will be satisfied and the people will be led to praise the name of the Lord, “your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.” In spite of Judah’s sin, they remained God’s people (v. 17), and he their God (vv. 23, 26). The covenantal bond held them together even though judgment had come. With the restoration of God’s favor, the people can acknowledge his graciousness in acting so “wondrously” toward them. This expression contains a Hebrew term used mainly of God in the OT and conveys the idea that wondrous or surprising things belong to him (for similar passages, cf. Deut. 28:59; Judg. 13:19; Isa. 29:15). Marvels of love are his alone (cf. Ps. 31:21).

Another effect of the restored fortunes is that Judah will not be forced to suffer shame. This refers not to inner feelings of shame but to public disgrace, parallel to not being a “reproach among the nations” (Joel 2:19). The outcome for Judah will be genuine understanding of the Lord’s presence in their midst (v. 27). The declaration “I am the LORD your God and there is none else” is very close to Isaiah 45:22, “I am God, and there is no other.” Personal experience of God’s grace and power convince that he is unique. The words at the end of the previous verse are repeated exactly at the end of Joel 2:27 to form a refrain exalting the fact that Judah will be subject to derision no longer.