CRITICAL NOTES.]
Joel 2:21. Fear not] as in ch. 1, on account of judgments, but rejoice in the destruction of the hosts.
Joel 2:22.] Verdant pastures and trees laden with fruit shall be given. Beasts of the field shall no longer want.
Joel 2:23. Rain] The former moderately, lit. according to right, i.e. in due measure, not in extremes to injure (Deuteronomy 11:14; Proverbs 16:15). The rain] Generically, showers. The latter rain] to mature the crops; rain in season, rain in opposition to drought, and rain a type of all blessings.
Joel 2:24-27.] Effects of the rain—abundance of all kinds of food; reparation of damage by locusts; redemption of Israel from the heathen; vindication of God and gratitude for his grace.
HOMILETICS
THE GREAT THINGS OF GOD.—Joel 2:21-27
The locusts seemed to exult in the ruin they caused; but Jehovah doomed them to destruction, recovered the land from barrenness, and crowned it with beauty. The enemy had done great things against them; now God would do great things for them. No longer wasted fields and withered harvests. Joy is to succeed sorrow. The blessings are to be wide as the judgments, and man and beasts are to rejoice in the restoration of fruitful seasons and spiritual privileges.
I. Great temporal blessings. The seed shall be prosperous, and the vine give her fruit; the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens their dew again (Zechariah 8:12).
1. Copious rain. The plague of locusts and of drought had caused the land to mourn. “The garden of Eden” had become “a desolate wilderness.” The only hope of recovery was in abundant and copious rain. Rain is promised by words multiplied in wonderful emphasis. First, showers in general, then in due season, early and latter rain for autumn and spring. Rain in mercy and moderation. God sends or withholds the rain in sovereign wisdom. It comes not by chance, but Divine commission. It is given in due measure, and sent in special direction. “He causes it to rain upon one city, and not upon another.”
2. Fruitful seasons. “The pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength.” Grass will spring, tender herbs bud, and fruit-trees yield their fruit. Living pastures shall satisfy groaning beasts, and universal fear shall give place to universal joy. God never left us without witness of his goodness and mercy, “in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
3. Replenished granaries. “And the floors shall be full of wheat,” &c. Barns shall no longer fall into decay, but wine, grain, and oil shall be given in abundance. Every trace of ruin shall disappear. “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.” The devastation of former years shall be undone. Threefold blessings shall benefit the three departments of nature. The parched ground shall robe itself in living verdure, flowers adorn the field, and trees rustle with foliage. The herds of oxen and flocks of sheep shall no longer roam in agony and distress. Husbandmen, vine-dressers, and ministers of the altar must cease to weep, rejoice in God, and eat their bread in gratitude. “Your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time; and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely” (Leviticus 26:5).
II. Great spiritual blessings. “And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,” &c.
1. Restoration of national praise. Through the sins of the people and the consequent judgments of God, sacrifices had ceased to be offered and joy had been cut off from the temple (ch. Joel 1:16). The loss of religious privileges is a most grievous calamity. There is no place like the house of God to Christians. They prefer Jerusalem above their chief joy. Loss of bread is nothing to loss of the worship of God. It is a loss of social help and natural influence. Worship is man’s greatest dignity and supreme good. When a nation gives praise to God they reap the highest enjoyments. “They shall praise the Lord that seek him; your heart shall live for ever.”
2. Manifestation of Divine presence. “Ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel.” Men do not always know, nations do not often recognize God. In prosperity and plenty they forget him. Harvests are expected as a matter of course. Human ingenuity and natural laws produce results. Creation is a mere machine without maker and controller. Thus the blessings of God are received in a forgetful, selfish spirit. But God interrupts the sequence of events, judgments are sent, to bring nations to regard Him. He withdraws his presence and permits plagues to bring them to repentance. “Are not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?” The heathen taunts, “Where is their God?” But God is sought in distress and found, and loving fellowship is restored. God is in the midst of the nation; she shall not be moved; “God shall help her, and that right early.”
3. Revival of national joy. “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God.” Israel were not only to rejoice in God, but in God as the Lord their God. The world may be unable to rejoice, but God shall have their share of gladness. God promises and puts joy into their hearts; a joy greater than that created by corn and wine. Abundant crops and splendid seasons give uncertain gladness; but the manifestation of God’s presence is a source of pure and permanent joy. “In thy presence is fulness of joy.” Better empty barns than forsaken temples. Joy unspeakable and full of glory is the heritage and honour of that nation with whom God delights to dwell. “For, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.”
A Deity believed is joy begun;
A Deity adored is joy advanced;
A Deity beloved is joy matured;
Each branch of piety delight inspires.
4. Deliverance from national shame. “And my people shall never be ashamed.” Pitied, delivered, and honoured, the people would be free from reproach. God’s honour is linked with our honour, though we suffer reproach for a time; if we be ashamed of our sins against God, we shall never be ashamed to glory in him. He will never render his grace and purpose void. By the performance of his word and the destruction of his foe he will wipe away all dishonour. In Christ especially are these words realized. He suffers when we suffer, and relieves in poverty and tribulation. In him God returns to men, and turns again the captivity of Zion. Then we sing and cease to fear; we “obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
HOMILETIC HINTS AND OUTLINES
Joel 2:23. Rain a symbol of spiritual blessings. I. Their source. “He hath given you,” “he will cause to come down.” The laws of nature and heathen gods do not bestow rain. It comes from heaven (Acts 14:17; Isaiah 55:10). II. Their method of bestowment.
1. In due season. The influence of the Spirit, like early rain in seed-time, waters instruction given, and like latter rain matures the soul in growth, and ripens it for heaven.
2. In rich abundance. Like copious showers, blessings shall descend and flow down to men. III. Their blessed results.
1. Barren land rejoices. Pastures revive and trees bring forth fruit. The little hills shout and sing for joy (Psalms 65:12-13). Gospel blessings refresh thirsty souls and quicken desolate churches.
2. God’s people are glad. “Be glad then, ye children of Zion.” Joy springs from their hearts and harvests are reaped from their labours.
By heaven’s influence, corn and plants do spring;
God’s showers of grace do make his valleys sing.
Joel 2:26. Spiritual feasting.
1. The guests. “Ye shall eat.” God’s people shall never want, though sometimes poor and persecuted.
2. The provision. Not mere temporal blessings (Joel 2:24); but joy in God’s presence, all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. Plenty of it; not the least scarcity.
3. The result. (a) Satisfaction. “Be satisfied.” Nothing but this will satisfy. “The meek shall eat and be satisfied” (Psalms 22:26). (b) Praise. “And praise the name of the Lord.” Thanksgiving shall come after the fast. They shall never die of grief. Immortal joys shall be their portion. “Whosoever eateth of this bread shall live for ever.”
I. The wondrous dealing of God. Israel in the wilderness and Israel delivered from the plague a type of God’s dealings with us. He smites by wonders and he recovers by wonders. “God hath dealt wondrously with you.”
1. In the bounties of nature. How wonderful to quicken the earth and send the beauties of spring, to give sunshine and shower, bread and sustenance, manna from heaven and waters from the rock.
2. In the blessings of providence. (a) Common mercies. Health and habitations. Thousands worse off than you. Many in poverty, prison, and disgrace. You have a goodly heritage among men. (b) Special mercies. Removal of family reproach and personal shame, deliverance from sickness and judgment. You are a wonder to many (Psalms 71:7).
3. In the gifts of grace. (a) In the gift of Christ. Wondrous love, &c. (b) In the gift of the Holy Spirit to enlighten and teach. (c) In continued grace to renew and strengthen. “Thy love to me was wonderful.” II. The consequent gratitude of man. “Praise the name of the Lord your God.”
1. By acknowledging your obligations. “Your God.”
2. By remembering his works. Israel forgat God even at the Red Sea, the most signal spot of their pilgrimage. “Talk ye of all his wondrous works.”
3. By obeying his word. Show your gratitude in practical conduct. Let lips and life praise the Lord. “The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad.”
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 2
Joel 2:22-25. It is too clear for either argument or illustration, that if you change the moral character of any country from ignorance to intelligence, from indolence to industry, from intemperance to self-discipline, from sensualness to spirituality, from enmity to love, that the whole material region in which they live may abound with plentifulness and beauty. Such a change throughout the whole human population to-day will give to all a new heaven and earth [Dr Thomas].
Joel 2:26-27. In the midst. It was to induce this devout and thankful recognition of the Divine presence that the judgment had been sent. Dulled by routine, blinded by use and wont, the Jews had come to regard the succession of the seasons and the bounty of the year in a hard mechanical way, as though Nature were a mere engine or machine. It was to convince them of his presence in Nature, to make them pure, strong, and happy, that God interrupted the usual sequence of events, first by disasters over which they had no control; by plagues (literally “blows”), which they understood as judgments; and then by acts of grace and good will, which they understood as signs of his returning favour. Terrified by disasters, and attracted by blessings which seemed to them answers to repentance and prayer, as they “ate and were satisfied,” the people “praised the name of Jehovah their God,” who had dealt wondrously with them; they felt, they acknowledged that he was “in the midst of” them, in their fields and in their vineyards as well as in the temple, and that Jehovah was their God and none else, since only he could send them rain and fruitful seasons, and fill their hearts with gladness [Samuel Cox].