Joel 2:1-27
Q.1. How bad was the devastation that the prophet foreshadowed? Who was behind this judgment? – (Joel 2:1-11)
Like the crippling destruction of a locust plague, so Israel’s enemies would leave the nation desolate. Joel pictured the before to be like Eden, and the aftermath to be like a wildfire. However, behind the enemy was God – … For the day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near … The Lord utters His voice before His army; Surely His camp is very great, for strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the Lord is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it? (Joel 2:1 & 11). The unseen hand of God was behind the judgment.
Q.2. Could Israel avoid the destruction? What did the prophet counsel Israel to do? What did this reprieve reveal about God? – (Joel 2:12-17)
Joel was given both the conditions of a reprieve, and also a promise of future restoration. The Lord then laid down the way this judgment could be reversed – 12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning; 13 And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God … 14 Who knows whether He will not turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him, even a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God? (Joel 2:12-14). This reprieve was typical of God’s mercy and patience, that He has shown ever since the Fall of Adam and Eve – … For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil (Joel 2:13). However, it would demand a deep repentance on the part of Israel’s leaders and priests.
Q.3. What hope did God offer the erring nation? How do we know this section is a prophecy of Israel’s future restoration? – (Joel 2:18-27)
Joel also foreshadowed a future day, when God would again visit and revive His people – Then the Lord will be zealous for His land And will have pity on His people (Joel 2:18). He promised that He will again send the early and late rains, as an act of abounding grace which we all need, and for which we long – Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust, and the gnawing locust – My great army which I sent among you (Joel 2:25 c.f. Joel 1:4). Joel alluded to a future fulfilment, when God in Christ will reign amongst His people during the Millennial Reign of Christ – 26 “You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame. 27 “Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other; And My people will never be put to shame (Joel 2:26-27)