Joel 2 Commentary
Joel likens the locust attack to a military attack! The effect is the same. It is the judgment that the LORD rains on sinful humanity. Yes, it is this attack here, the attack of locusts that devastated Egypt during Moses’ time, or the attack of Revelation 9.
The prophet puts all these thoughts together and we have the past, the present, and the future woven together in this prophecy.
The exile to Babylon was huge and significant but it wasn’t the conclusion. The LORD decrees other ‘punishments’ such as plagues. This chapter lightens the thought that the LORD constantly fights evil within human society. In time and space, the LORD withdraws His mercies temporarily and subjects humanity to catastrophes, hoping that mankind can see trouble and return to the LORD.
The prophet uses the imagery of the locust attack to describe the yet-to-come ‘day of the LORD’.
Then follows a call to repentance. “But even now, repent sincerely and return to the LORD.” Verse 12. Genuine repentance manifests itself in the brokenness of heart. Forget the external works of righteousness!
In front of them, the land is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is a barren desert. Wickedness or rebellion has left humanity in a terrible shape. Before the fall we have the Garden of Eden but after the LORD’s judgment, we have a desert.
But the LORD promises restoration.
“Afterward I will pour out my Spirit on everyone.” Verse 28. “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high,” said the LORD Jesus Christ in Luke 24 verse 49. It is an easy puzzle: the ‘I’ in verse 28 of this chapter refers to the LORD. He is the one who promises. Look at it again. The ‘I’ of verse 28 and the ‘I am’ of Luke 24 verse 49 are the same!
We are, therefore, listening to the voice of the LORD Jesus Christ in the Old Testament!
The sending of the Spirit means life once again!
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