©1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
his wrath on man) results in blessing and exoneration for God's people and judgment toward Gentiles (Isa. 13:6; Ezek. 30:3), but here Joel directs the warning toward his own people. The day of the Lord is speedily approaching; unless sinners repent, dire consequences await them. destruction from the Almighty. The Hebrew term "destruction" forms a powerful play on words with the "Almighty." The notion of invincible strength is foremost; destruction at the hand of omnipotent God is coming.
JOEL—NOTE ON 1:17–18 seed shrivels . . . beasts groan. From the spiritual realm to the physical realm, all was in shambles. Though innocent, in judgment even the animals suffered (cf. Rom. 8:18–22) the loss of food.
Day of the Lord
Day of the Lord SEVENTEEN EXPLICIT MENTIONS OF "DAY OF THE LORD" IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 1. Obadiah 15 6. Joel 3:14 11. Isaiah 13:9 16. Ezekiel 30:3 2. Joel 1:15 7. Amos 5:18 12. Zephaniah 1:7 17. Malachi 4:5 3. Joel 2:1 8. Amos 5:18 13. Zephaniah 1:14 4. Joel 2:11 9. Amos 5:20 14. Zephaniah 1:14 5. Joel 2:31 10. Isaiah 13:6 15. Ezekiel 13:5 FOUR EXPLICIT MENTIONS OF "DAY OF THE LORD" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 1. Acts 2:20 2. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 3. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 4. 2 Peter 3:10 ©1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
JOEL—NOTE ON 1:19 To you, O Lord, I call. As the first to call to repentance, the prophet had to be the first to heed the warning. He had to lead by example and motivate the people to respond. In the midst of proclaiming judgment, God's prophets often led in intercessory prayer for mercy and forgiveness (cf. Ex. 32:11–14; Jer. 42:1–4; Dan. 9:1–19; Amos 7:1–6).
JOEL—NOTE ON 2:1–17 With an increased level of intensity, Joel utilized the metaphor of the locust plague and drought as a backdrop from which to launch an intensified call to repent in view of the coming invasion of Judah and the day of the Lord, present and future.
JOEL—NOTE ON 2:1 Blow a trumpet. In the ancient world, horns were used to gather people for special occasions or to warn of danger (Ex. 19:13, 16, 19;