Joel 1 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Came to Joel — Probably in the latter end of Jeroboam the second's reign over Israel and in the days of Uzziah, over Judah.

Old men — The oldest among you, who can remember things done many years ago.

Palmer — worm — Four sorts of insects, are here mentioned, which succeeded each other, and devoured all that might be a support to the Jews, whence ensued a grievous famine.

Is cut off — Suddenly cut off even when you are ready to drink it, and totally cut off by these devouring vermin.

A nation — An innumerable multitude of locusts and caterpillars, called a nation here, as Solomon calls the conies and the ant, Proverbs 30:25-26, and perhaps a prognostick of a very numerous and mighty nation, that ere long will invade Judah. Strong — Mighty in power, and undaunted in courage, if you refer it to the Assyrian or Babylonians; if to those vermin, they are, though each weak by itself, yet in those multitudes, strong and irresistible. A great lion — Such waste as lions make, these the locusts do, and the Assyrians will make.

The husband of her youth — Espoused to her, but snatched away by an untimely death.

The drink — offering — By the destruction of the vines, all wine (out of which they ought to offer the drink — offering) failed.

The corn — The wheat and barley, is eaten up in its greenness. Dried up — The drought was so great, that the vines were withered, and all their hopes of new wine cut off. The oil — The olive — trees. Languisheth — This is a plain account of the reason why the priests were called to mourn, and why the meal — offering and drink — offering were cut off.

Be ye ashamed — This is a just cause why you should lament and enquire why God is so displeased with you.

Sanctify ye — Ye priests, set apart a day wherein to afflict yourselves, confess your sins, and sue out your pardon. Into the house — The courts of the temple, where the people were wont to pray.

The day of the Lord — A day of greater trouble than yet they felt, troubles which God will heap upon them. Shall it come — Unless fasting, prayers and amendment prevent.

Cut off — Devoured by locusts, or withered with drought.

Laid desolate — Run to ruin because the owners discouraged with the barrenness of the seasons, would not repair them.

The fire — The immoderate heats. The wilderness — The world, only means places not ploughed, and less inhabited than others.

Cry — They utter their complaints, their sad tones, they have a voice to cry, as well as an eye to look to God.