Joel 2

— turn ye even to me with all your heart.] Let not your heart be divided between God and your idols or other sins, but let it be given wholly up to Him. God requires in our love and service of Him, that it be “with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might,” Deut. vi. 5; “and with all our mind,” as our Saviour adds in repeating that first and great commandment, without obeying which no other can be duly observed, Mark xii. 30. Without being actuated by the heart, all performances of the outward man are insufficient and vain, or rather they are displeasing. But when the heart shall have duly performed its part, the outward man is not left unconcerned, but hath his part also to perform, in order to express how the inward man of the heart is really affected: and so by the joint concurrence of both true conversion or repentance is made up. The Prophet therefore to the inward affection of the whole heart adds those outward acts, which are to accompany and express it, “fasting, and weeping, and mourning.” Dr. Pocock. He that would so turn to the Lord, as to find mercy with Him, must not turn from one sin to another, or from one sect to another, or from one religion to another only; but he must turn from all his sins, from all his former wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts, and must “turn unto the Lord with all his heart:” that is, our hearts must be wholly inclined to God, and our souls be offered up as a whole burnt offering unto Him, without any mental reservation or hypocritical equivocation. There is no agreement between Christ and Belial, between God and sin in the same heart. Bp. Beveridge.

hath eaten.] That is, I will repair the damage, which the land has for several years received from the ravages of these devouring creatures. Dr. Pocock. — my great army] We have here a key to the grand and beautiful description which runs through these two chapters. Every reader must be struck with the poetical and sublime manner in which the allegory is conducted. There is not a more splendid piece of poetry extant. Abp. Newcome.

into blood.] That is, into the colour of blood. Harmer. These expressions may be understood of the “fearful sights and great signs from heaven,” Luke xxi. 11, which alarmed the minds of the Jews before the taking of Jerusalem by Titus. Abp. Newcome. Or, as some expositors think, they are meant, not literally, but metaphorically; and denote such calamities as should deprive the people of all sight of comfort. Dr. Pocock. See the notes on Isa. xiii. 10. 13. — before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.] These wonderful things were in part shewn at the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus; but they shall be fully and perfectly completed towards the end of the world, before the last judgment; which time deserves signally to be called “the day of the Lord,” and “the great day,” for the great things that shall be done in it; and “the terrible day,” for all the judgments that are in it to be executed upon all the people who have ever lived in the world. Dr. Pocock.

Chap. III. ver. 1.—in those days, and in that time.] The time called “the last days,” chap. ii. 28, according to St. Peter’s interpretation. Acts ii. 17, which comprehends all that time which reaches from the first to the second appearance of the Messiah; see the note upon Isa. ii. 2. The context shews that here is probably meant the latter part of these last days or times. W. Lowth.

— when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem.] That is, when all the Jews then living, wheresoever dispersed, shall be converted to Christianity, and thereupon shall be brought back by God to their own country of Judah, and shall again inhabit Jerusalem. Dr. Wells. Or the words may be interpreted, not literally of bringing back the Jews to their ancient seat, but of freeing them from the captivity of sin, and the yoke of the Mossical law. Dr. Pocock.

Joel 2:2

2. I will also gather all nations.] Taking the words in a spiritual sense, such as are enemies to God’s Church, and the true Christian religion. Thus the Jews felt his judgments by the destruction of their city and commonwealth, soon after Christ’s first coming; and at his second coming punishment shall be inflicted on all the wicked. Dr. Pocock.

— the valley of Jehoshaphat.] That is, the place where the Lord will execute judgment; for so the word “Jehoshaphat” signifies, being compounded of Jehovah, and shaphat, which means to judge. The expression likewise alludes to the valley of Berachah, as it was afterwards called, 2 Chron. xx. 26, which was famous for the victory gained there by Jehoshaphat and his people over a great confederacy of their enemies. This valley was not far from Jerusalem, if it be the same with that described, Zech. xiv. 4. W. Lowth, Dr. Wells.

— and will plead with them there] God pleads with men, and vindicates the cause of oppressed truth and innocence by his judgments. Then their own consciences fly in the face of the guilty, and force them to acknowledge the justice of their punishments. Compare Ezek. xvii. 20; xx. 35; xxxviii. 22. W. Lowth.

Joel 2:3

3. And they have cast lots for my people; &c.] And they have scornfully and proudly tyrannized over my people, and have cast lots upon them, as some slight commodities for sale or exchange; and have given a

boy for the price of their lust to a harlot, and sold a girl only for a cup of wine to drink. Bp. Hall.

The way of dividing captives by lot appears to have been in use of old among nations: compare Nahum iii. 10; Obad. ver. 11. Dr. Pocock.

Joel 2:4

4. Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon.] When the Babylonians, the appointed instruments of my vengeance, afflict my land, why do you also and the bordering nations assist them? Do you take this occasion of avenging the former victories of my people over you? If so, this your act of revenge shall be speedily punished. Abp. Newcome.

Joel 2:5

5. Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, &c.] The temple was despoiled of its ornaments, either through the necessities or wickedness of the kings of Judah, several times; see 2 Kings xii. 18; xviii. 16; 2 Chron. xxviii. 24. It was likewise plundered by the Chaldeans often; once in the reign of Jehoiakim, 2 Chron. xxxvi. 7; then in the short reign of Jehoiachin, 2 Kings xxiv. 13, before the last destruction of it, 2 Kings xxv. 17, 18. Some part of the furniture might perhaps be sold to the merchants of Tyre and Sidon. W. Lowth.

Joel 2:6

6. — all faces shall gather blackness.] The alteration in the countenance was to indicate the inward pain. Dr. Pocock. Compare Jer. viii. 21; Nahum ii. 10. W. Louth.

7. The children also of Judah—have ye sold] It was customary for the merchants of the neighbouring countries to buy the children of Israel for slaves, in order to sell them again. See 1 Mac. iii. 41. Javan, that is, Greece, particularly dealt in that sort of traffick, Ezek. xxvii. 13. W. Lowth.

Joel 2:7

7. They shall run like mighty men; &c.] They shall march in such a swift and orderly manner, that no place shall be inaccessible to them, nor any force be able to withstand them. W. Louth.

8. Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, &c.] Grotius thinks that this promise concerning the children of Judah was made good under Alexander the Great and his successors, who in favour of the Jewish nation restored to liberty many Jews who were captives or in servitude in Greece: and that the threatening in the next verse concerning the persecutors of the Jews had its effect when the same Alexander took Gaza, Sidon, and Tyre. Others think the fulfilling of these things may be referred to the times of Cyrus or of the Maccabees. The general import of the passage is, that though God sometimes suffers his people to be trampled on, and contemptuously used, and injuriously treated by his and their enemies, yet He will in due time deliver them from the hand of their enemies, to whom He will render a just reward, proportionable to the wrong that they have done to his people. Dr. Pocock.

Joel 2:8

8. Neither shall one thrust another;] Many writers mention the order of locusts in their flight and march; and their manner of proceeding directly forwards, whatever obstacles were interposed. Abp. Newcome. See Dr. Shaw’s note on Exod. x. 15. — and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.] This refers to the scales with which locusts are covered as with a coat of mail. Abp. Newcome.

Joel 2:9

9. They shall run to and fro in the city; &c.] Compare Exod. x. 5, 6. St. Jerome saith of locusts, that there is nothing inaccessible to them; they seize, not only on the fields, corn, and trees, but also enter cities, houses, and the most private chambers. Dr. Pocock.

Joel 2:10

10. The earth shall quake before them; &c.] This and the following clause express great consternation and calamity. The two other clauses may well have a literal sense; see the note on ver. 2: or they may denote, in a strong Eastern manner, devastation spread through a whole country. Abp. Newcome.

Joel 2:11

11. And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army.] Like a leader or general, He shall command or encourage this his army, and can make the meanest parts of the creation the instruments of his vengeance. God’s voice sometimes denotes his anger: the most terrible way of declaring his will is when He speaks to us by his judgments. Compare chap. iii. 16; Amos i. 2; Jer. xxv. 30. The time of God’s particular judgments, as well as that of his general one, is commonly expressed by the “day of the Lord,” the former being an earnest and imperfect representation of the latter. W. Louth.

Joel 2:12

12. Therefore also now, saith the Lord, &c.] The sins a the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

Joel 2:13

13. And rend your heart, and not your garments.] Not merely your garments. See Gen. xxxvii. 29. 34; Job i. 20; 2 Sam. i. 11. — repenteth him of the evil.] See the notes on Gen. vi. 6.

Joel 2:14

14. Who knoweth if he will return &c.] Who knoweth Joel prescribeth a fast. He comforteth Zion, Before CHRIST about 500. him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

Joel 2:27

27. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel.] In order to a removal of the threatened evils, the people are exhorted to turn unto God by serious repentance, and are promised that on so doing they should be received again into his favour, and owned for his people. Dr. Pocock.

Joel 2:28

28. — I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; &c.] The plentiful effusion of the Holy Spirit is mentioned by the Prophets as the peculiar character of the Gospel state: and it is elsewhere compared to the pouring out of waters upon a thirsty land, whereby it becomes fruitful. See Isa. xlv. 3; liv. 13; Jer. xxxi. This text is applied by St. Peter to the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the first believers, Acts ii. 17. “All flesh” comprehends the Gentiles as well as the Jews: which promise we see was punctually fulfilled, Acts x. 44; xi. 17. W. Lowth. This prophecy is one of the clearest and most undoubted of any that foretold the establishment of the new law. It hath been fulfilled in the Christian church two ways: first, by the extraordinary effects of such a general effusion of the Holy Spirit, whereby the Apostles and primitive saints were empowered to work miracles, speak with diverse tongues, and foretel future events; and, secondly, in the more ordinary gifts of Divine grace, bestowed upon all Christians. Wogan. 29. And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids &c.] Not only, no particular sex or age, but also no particular condition, should render persons incapable of receiving the good gifts of God’s Spirit “in those days;” that is, under the kingdom of Christ. See Gal. iii. 28;

Joel 2:30

30. And I will shew wonders in the heavens &c.] The Prophet, having foretold in the clearest terms the general effusion of the Holy Spirit, which was to characterize the Gospel dispensation, concludes this chapter with a striking description of the destruction of Jerusalem, which followed soon after, and punished the Jews for their obstinate rejection of the sacred influence: speaking in terms, which, as well as those of our Saviour

Joel 2:32

32. — whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord] St. Paul, Rom. x. 13, explains this of such persons as give themselves up to Christ, and profess themselves his disciples; that being the most effectual means of escaping the judgments coming upon the unbelieving Jews, and likewise of being “delivered from the wrath to come:” see Luke xxi. 22; 1 Thess. ii. 16. W. Lowth. This “calling on the name of the LORD,” mentioned by the Prophet, and applied by the Apostle to Jesus Christ, plainly proves that Jesus is the Lord Jehovah, and that He is to be invoked as the proper object of prayer. Wogan. See the note on Rom. x. 13. — for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance.] These words may be understood figuratively of the Church of God; which, having been first seated in mount Zion and Jerusalem, and thence extended all the world over, Luke xxiv. 47, carried the name thereof along with it. Dr. Pocock. — and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.] Namely, such as should embrace the Gospel, and thus escape the dangers and destruction which would seize on others. Dr. Pocock. God’s judgments against the enemies of his people. Before CHRIST about 300. # CHAP. III.