Joel 2

Joel 2:1

BLow] As it were, to give notice of the comming of these insects; that every one may prepare themselves to prevent the scourge by repentance; and prayer to God, to beare it constantly and patiently; and to overcome it by faith in his grace.

Joel 2:2

Of darknesse] that is to say; of most grievous calamity. And may be, he hath a relation to the comming of these little beasts in great swarmes; whereby the aire might be darkened, v. 10 Spread upon the] which shall in an instant cover the whole Countrey: even as the Morning spreadeth abroad upon a sudden, over the tops of hils, though they be a great way off.

Joel 2:3

A fire] these insects going along, doe devoure the Countrey, which is rich, and full of goods, Joe 1:19. and after they are gone by, every thing is found gnawne and consumed.

Joel 2:6

Blacknesse] through horror and hunger. See Nahum 2:10.

Joel 2:7

Shall not breake] they shall not stop nor stay their pace.

Joel 2:8

When they all] A terme taken from the meeting of Armies: to signifie, that there will be neither defence, nor resistance, that can stay this tempest.

Joel 2:9

They shall run] A kinde of speech taken from a City won by assault.

Joel 2:10

The Earth] hyperbolicall termes; frequent in the Prophets, to represent a horrible desolation The Sun] this may be also understood in the same manner; as Isaiah 13:10. Ezekiel 32:7. Joe 3:15. unlesse it be interpreted; as upon v. 2.

Joel 2:11

Shall utter] like a Captaine encouraging his souldiers: or, giving the signall of the battell.

Joel 2:13

Repenteh him] out of his infinite mercy he changeth; not his counsell, or his will; being as sorry for having done evill, as men doe when they repent; but the effects of his rigor into the effects of mercy.

Joel 2:14

A blessing] namely, The fruits of the earth, growing and preserved by Gods singular blessing: See Isaiah 65:8 Behind him] namely, After all these little beasts are gone by.

Joel 2:15

The trumpet] namely; the holy trumpet to call the generall assembly of the people.

Joel 2:16

Sanctifie] Give order by proclamation, that all men, being duely purified, according to the Law, may come to the Temple, to call upon the Lord, with mourning and fasting: See Exod. 19. 10. 22.

Joel 2:17

Between the Porch] Whereof see 1 King. 6. 3. This was the voyd space: Ezekiel 8:16. where the sacred Ministers prayed after the sacrifices were offered Rule over them] Thy people being constrained through want, to put themselves into the bondage of strangers: or, having no meanes to defend themselves, if the enemies should set upon them. Others translate it, that the Nations may not mocke them.

Joel 2:18

Then will] He sets forth the effects of the precedent prayers Be jealous] He will feele and be moved at the afflictions of his deare people, and for his owne glory; which by that meanes was troden downe by prophane Nations.

Joel 2:20

The Northerne army] namely; That great swarme of vermine which came out of the North Into a land] That multitude shall be carryed away out of your land; and like a great army, the body of it shall be driven into the Wildernesse; the van-guard into the lake of Sodome towards the East: and the reare-ward into the Mediteranean sea, towards the West.

Joel 2:22

Their strength] Their fruits and increase, according to the vertue which God hath given them: Genesis 4:12.

Joel 2:23

Moderately] the Italian, Justly] namely; At the time of your greatest need, and in that just measure as is required, for to help the barrennesse which was before. Others in righteousnesse; that is to say: bountifully, and lovingly In the fist] Which was the March moone: for then began that time of the yeere which was called the latter season, by reason of the fruits which grow ripe, and are gathered therein; at which time raine was most necessary: next to September moone, which was the other part of the yeere, called the first season by reason of tilling and sowing of the ground.

Joel 2:26

Shall never] Because they shall never pray to me in vaine at any such time of need.

Joel 2:28

fterward] In the Messias hi dayes, I will powre downe the gifts of my holy spirit in abundance; as I have heretofore powred out temporall blessings upon you Upon all flesh] All manner of people, without: any distinction of Nations Your sones] By the inward vertue of my Spirit I will enlighten the understanding of mine Elect, who, of their owne nature are but children in knowledge: or, youngmen without experience; or aged men, weake of understanding, and will give them a lively and supernaturall light of the mysteries of the Gospel; accompanied at certaine times, and in certaine persons with Prophetick revelations: Acts 2:17.

Joel 2:29

Upon the servants] namely; Persons of all conditions, be they never so meane; shall be sanctified by me: may be by these termes is meant the calling of the Gentiles, amongst whom slaves were bought: Leviticus 25:44. Unlesse he meanes the other principall effect of the spirit of grace; which is, to free men from the bondage of sinne and the Divell.

Joel 2:30

And I will shew] He seemes to point at the great troubles of the world under the Gospel; or the signes which immediately before Christs comming to judgement.

Joel 2:32

In mount Sion] namely, In the true Church of Christ Deliverance] From those evils which shall trouble the world: Or, some remnant which shall escape, Hath said] In many places by his Prophets In the remnant] Which are not run into the generall apostasie and corruption of the world: Luke 18:8 Shall call] Whom he shall move, and effectually put forward to the participation of his grace in Christ.