Joel 2
BBCJoel 2:1
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENEMY INVASION (2:1-11)2:1-3 The people are called to battle by a trumpet sounding the alarm, for the day of the Lord . . . is at hand. The immediate reference was to the Babylonian captivity, but the complete fulfillment is still future. Before the invaders come, the land of Judah is like the Garden of Eden; afterwards it is a desolate wilderness. 2:4-11 The comparison of the locusts to swift steeds, climbing the wall like men of war marching in formation, entering everywhere like a thief and blackening the skies with their immense numbers, constitutes some of the most graphic, poetic description in the prophets. This unendurable invasion is all at the beck and call of the LORD, whose camp is very great.
Joel 2:12
III. DIVINE APPEAL TO JUDAH TO REPENT (2:12-14)Even now, the LORD calls the people to repentance. It is not too late to return to Him. But it must be more than outward ritual. Their turning was to be with all their heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.
Joel 2:15
IV. DECLARING A FAST (2:15-17)All classes of people are summoned to a sacred assembly and to consecrate a fast. In a future day, the priests will cry to the LORD in a solemn penitential assembly.
Joel 2:18
V. DIVINE DELIVERANCE PROMISE (2:18-3:21) A. Material Prosperity (2:18, 19, 21-27)Then the LORD will be zealous for His land and pity His people. He will send them grain, new wine, and oil to their satisfaction, in addition to removing their reproach from among the nations. The land will be restored to fertility and productiveness. Abundant rain will result in vats overflowing and threshing floors . . . full of wheat. The people will be restored and will never again be put to shame. All the years that the swarming locust had eaten would be restored as well.
Joel 2:20
B. Destruction of Enemy (2:20)In the remainder of Joel, the Lord tells what He will do for Judah. He will destroy the northern army (the Assyrian) from the eastern sea (Dead Sea) to the western sea (Mediterranean).
Joel 2:21
Then the LORD will be zealous for His land and pity His people. He will send them grain, new wine, and oil to their satisfaction, in addition to removing their reproach from among the nations. The land will be restored to fertility and productiveness. Abundant rain will result in vats overflowing and threshing floors . . . full of wheat. The people will be restored and will never again be put to shame. All the years that the swarming locust had eaten would be restored as well.
Joel 2:28
C. Pouring out of God’s Spirit (2:28, 29)God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh in that day. The younger generation shall prophesy and see visions and the old men shall dream dreams. This latter prophecy was partially fulfilled in Act_2:16-21, but Pentecost did not exhaust it. Its complete fulfillment will take place at the outset of Christ’s one-thousand year reign.
Joel 2:30
D. Signs Preceding Christ’s Second Advent (2:30-32)The outpouring of the Spirit will be preceded by wonders in the heavens. Some of these predicted signs are: blood, fire, pillars of smoke, the sun turning into darkness and the moon into blood. All who turn to Jesus as Messiah, calling on His name, will be saved to enter the Millennium with Him.