Joel 2

Joel 2

Guzik - Joel looks forward to the restoration that God has promised, and he tells Judah to look forward in faith, and to praise God for the restoration He promises—even before they see it with their own eyes. It is interesting that in Joel 2:20-note had ended with "for it has done great things," but now clearly it is Yahweh Who is the Doer of the great things. Moody Bible Commentary - Here Joel describes the blessing associated with the Jewish people’s eschatological return to their land. As elsewhere in the prophets, the blessing on the land is synonymous with the great things the Lord has done for His people, indicating that more than agricultural blessing is in view (cf. Isa 54:4; Jer 30:10; Zeph 3:16, 17). HCSB - The destruction caused by the locust invasion (or the invading army) is now reversed. Both land and animals will participate in the salvation of God's people (Ro 8:19-23). Covenant blessings will be restored to the land (Dt 11:13-15). Joel 2:22 Do not fear, beasts of the field, For the pastures of the wilderness have turned green, For the tree has borne its fruit, The fig tree and the vine have yielded in full. Do not fear,: Joe 1:18-20 Ps 36:6 104:11-14,27-29 145:15,16 147:8,9 Isa 30:23,24 Jon 4:11 For the pastures of the wilderness have turned green: Joe 1:19 Ps 65:12 Isa 51:3 For the tree has borne its fruit: Lev 26:4,5 Ps 67:6 107:35-38 Eze 34:26,27 36:8,30,35 Ho 14:5-7 Am 9:14,15 Hag 2:16 Zec 8:12 Mal 3:10-12 The fig tree and the vine have yielded in full.: Ge 4:12 1Co 3:7 THE RESTORATION OF FERTILITY IN ISRAEL In the future kingdom of the Messiah, the fertility of the land will be restored, echoing the promise of blessing of the land in Joel 2:19-note. Do not fear, beasts of the field - The land is personified in Joel 2:11 and the beasts are personified here, both being told not to fear. They had been groaning in agony (Joel 1:18-note) receive the promise of relief, and even the trees and vines that had been stripped bare and could bear no fruit or grapes (cf Joel 1:7-note) would now be verdant and fruitful.